KATHMANDU: Nepal Oil Corporation has decided to maintain current retail prices for petroleum products despite an increase in import costs from the Indian Oil Corporation.
The corporation opted to keep prices unchanged following the recent floods in the Bhote Koshi River, which created difficult circumstances for the country.
According to the new purchase prices received from the Indian Oil Corporation on Sept. 15, the cost of petrol increased by Rs 12.40 per litre, while diesel prices rose by Rs 4.68 per litre. These fluctuations follow ongoing instability in the international market due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Under the decision effective from Sept. 16, retail prices for petrol, diesel, and kerosene remain fixed based on regional classifications. Prices are set at Rs 197.50, Rs 199, and Rs 200 per litre for the first, second, and third category regions respectively.
The first category includes Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amlekhgunj, Bhalbari, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Birgunj. Surkhet and Dang fall under the second category, while Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Dipayal are in the third.
Additionally, the price of a 14.2 kg cylinder of LP gas remains unchanged at Rs 2,060. Domestic aviation fuel is priced at Rs 249 per litre, and international aviation fuel in Kathmandu is set at 1,697 US dollars per kilolitre. With global prices continuing to rise, the decision not to adjust retail rates will result in a projected fortnightly loss of Rs 1.91 billion for the corporation.
