Kathmandu, March 17: Minister for Supplies, Ganesh Man Pun, admitted that the market is witnessing an acute shortage of diesel while pledging to ease its supply within the next few days.

He blamed the failure on part of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to provide enough diesel to meet the market demand.

Speaking at the meeting of the Industry, Commerce and Consumer Welfare Protection Committee under the Legislature-Parliament today, minister Pun said that IOC failed to provide the amount of petroleum products as demanded by Nepal Oil Corporation.

He said the Ministry prioritises smooth supply of petroleum products and cooking gas and the supply would ease soon.

He also informed that works have been expedited to establish petroleum storage depots at Panchkhal of Kavre, Battar of Nuwakot and Khairenitar of Gorkha.

Also he informed that issues including import of petroleum products from China would be taken up with the Chinese government during Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to China.

He also informed the meeting that a meeting of the board of directors of NOC had decided not to distribute bonus to its employees.

Likewise, Secretary at the Ministry, Sridhar Sapkota, said that efforts were underway to form the division of the consumer welfare protection under the Ministry of Supplies. RSS