Thirteen student unions affiliated to various political parties including ruling UCPN (Maoist) aligned student union ANNISU (Revolutionary) have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to withdraw its recent decision to hike the prices of petroleum products.

A meeting of the thirteen students union held at the office of Madhesh Loktantric Bidyarthi Front in Bijulibazaar of the capital Monday morning issued such an ultimatum after discussing the latest increase in fuel prices which, according to them, will only contribute to inflation and adversely affect low-income groups in the country.

The leaders of students unions warned that they will be forced to wage nationwide protest including sit-ins and demonstration rallies if the government refuses to roll back its decision to hike the prices of petroleum products for the second time in the past one month.

The government had partially reviewed the increase in prices of petroleum products and cooking gas about a month ago after coming under intense pressure of the students who organised nationwide protests against the move.

The student unions aligned with major political parties -Maoist, NC and UML - and other fringe and Madhesi parties have said they will unveil fresh protest programs by holding another round of meeting if the government turns a deaf ear to their plea.

In the wake of prolonged shortage of petroleum products, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had hiked the price of petroleum products effective from Friday.

According to the price list publicised by the NOC, petrol, diesel and aviation fuel each will cost four rupees more. The retail price of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel has been fixed at Rs 116, Rs 85 and Rs 109 respectively.

The NOC said it had to increase the price to reduce its soaring losses in the import and sale of petroleum products. nepalnews.com