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The government has introduced a legal provision to impose fines of up to Rs. 1 million and suspend fuel supplies for up to 15 days for petrol pumps that disrupt the uninterrupted sale and distribution of petroleum products.

The decision was made after the board of the Nepal Oil Corporation amended the Petroleum Products Retailer Regulations to include these penalties. The amendment came after fuel sales and distribution across the country were disrupted on Wednesday due to the actions of some petrol pumps. Acting on the directive of Gauri Kumari, the corporation incorporated legal provisions for fines and suspension of fuel distribution into the regulations.

According to the amended regulations, petrol pump operators who close their stations and disrupt fuel availability will face fines ranging from Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 1 million, along with a suspension of petrol and diesel supplies for 5 to 15 days, according to the minister's secretariat.

A new clause has been added to Section 29(G)(1) of the Retailer Regulations stating that "Retailers shall not allow fuel nozzles to run dry (dry nozzle) or create a situation where petroleum products become unavailable."

The penalties for violating this provision are as follows:

First offense: Fine of Rs. 300,000 and suspension of fuel supply for 5 days.

Second offense: Fine of Rs. 600,000 and suspension of fuel supply for 10 days.

Third offense: Fine of Rs. 1 million and suspension of fuel supply for 15 days.

On Tuesday, Asar 9 (June 23), voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the first phase.