Minister Gupta vows to fight corruption in NOC; says fuel supply will be normal soon

Newly appointed Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Shyam Sundar Gupta has vowed to fight corruption in Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), and check leakages in the fuel supply system.

Gupta said he was seriously studying the fact sheets of the NOC to find out if the state-run supply agency was operating properly. He said he would act tough on financial irregularities and leakages in the supply of petroleum products.

The minister was speaking at the annual convention of Western Region Petroleum Dealers Association in Butwal on Saturday.

Gupta claimed that he was ready to quit his post if he was unable to normalise petroleum supply in the country within the next few days.

He said he was in consultation with the Prime Minister to agree the Finance Ministry to release Rs 2.8 billion for clearing the NOC's overdue to its Indian supplier, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Hinting at the possibility of importing petroleum products from China, minister Gupta said the government "will be compelled to look for alternatives" if the supply didn't become normal even after clearing the NOC overdue. nepalnews.com mk Dec 01 07

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