Government formally requests India to end cross border obstacle

The government has officially requested Indian government to ease supplies through India-Nepal border.
Nepal is reeling under acute shortage of petroleum products including cooking gas and medicine since last two months after India imposed blockade on major customs points at Nepal-India border chocking the supplies.
Passing a special resolution, the Cabinet meet also urged the southern neighbour to strengthen ties between Nepal and India, without mentioning the word 'blockade'. The Cabinet meeting has urged the southern neighbour to help clear obstruction of transit and supplies through border points. The Cabinet asked Indian government to contribute in strengthening bilateral relationship by easing operation at entry points as it has affected import of essentials including medicines and fuel, informed minister for Information and Communication Technology Sher Dhan Rai, after the meeting.
The government decision comes after 50 days of India imposed blockade at Nepal-India border points, which has been obstructed following the promulgation of new Constitution.
Likewise, the Cabinet also urged the agitating Tarai-Madhesh centric parties to end their protests stating that attempts are on to seek solution through talks, arrangements have been made for free treatment to injured, process has begun to withdraw false cases and decision to provide Rs 1 million to deceased families has been implemented.
"We requested the protestors to end blockade at border points as festivals like Tihar, Chhath and Lhosar are at the door, he said, adding that the government is saddened by the inconvenience caused to Nepali people at Tarai-Madhesh and across the country. "We express gratitude to the general public for their patience and harmony during this critical time."

Petroleum transporters announce illegal strike

Though the strike in essential service is illegal, the petroleum transporters have threatened to go to strike.

Federation of Nepal Petroleum Transport Entrepreneurs claimed that they will stop receiving product delivery orders from January 9, halt loading and unloading of petroleum products from January 11, and stop the transportation and supply of petroleum products across the country completely.

Since the government and the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) failed to meet our demands of insurance and transportation costs, we are going on strike, they said issuing a statement.

The Kathmandu Valley – that consumes almost 60 per cent of the imported petroleum products – has already started feeling shortage since few days. And the transporters protest warning is going to make the situation worse.

The transporters – that has in its 11-point demand sought a multi-party insurance system which covers up all the losses of riot, fire and theft during the transportation – have blamed the state-oil monopoly of covering only minimal losses of accident. The 11-point also included the increase in diesel transportation cost with price increment ratio.

Though, the strike in essential service is illegal, earlier too they have threatened and the state-oil monopoly and Ministry of Commerce and Supplies have bowed down to their illegal strikes, and ignored the competitive market practices. As usual, they have asked the NOC to become transparent, whereas the relationships between the NOC and transporters have not been transparent since long as one goes on 'illegal' strike and other accepts the 'illegal' demands, but the consumers are made to pay for their unholy partnership.