NOC raises diesel and kerosene prices by Rs 30

KATHMANDU: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has raised retail prices of diesel and kerosene by Rs 30 per litre, effective from today.

According to NOC, the hike responds to sustained rises in international petroleum prices after the war in the Middle East disrupted the automated pricing mechanism tied to purchase rates from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Under the new rates, including VAT, prices vary by region. Category 1 areas — Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amlekhgunj, Bhalwari, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Birgunj — will pay Rs 234.50 per litre. Category 2 areas — Surkhet and Dang — will pay Rs 236 per litre. Category 3 areas — Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dipayal — will pay Rs 237 per litre. Domestic aviation fuel has been raised to Rs 262 per litre.

The price of petrol remains unchanged at Rs 219 per litre.

NOC reported per-unit shortfalls of Rs 2.32 on petrol, Rs 87.99 on diesel, Rs 36.70 on kerosene and Rs 331.25 per LPG cylinder. Before the adjustment, it estimated a fortnightly loss of about Rs 7.81 billion.

However, even after the Rs 30 increase, NOC projected a remaining fortnightly shortfall of roughly Rs 5.75 billion and a diesel loss of Rs 99.16 per litre under the adjusted retail rates.

NOC appealed to consumers and stakeholders for cooperation and urged the public to use petroleum products economically, noting that the new retail prices are based on IOC purchase rates.