Kathmandu. The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has amended the petroleum dealers by-laws to regulate petrol pumps across the country and impose a fine of Rs 300,000 to Rs 1 million and ban the distribution of petrol and diesel from five days to 15 days.

The supply of fuel across the country was disrupted from Wednesday morning after petroleum entrepreneurs did not lift fuel from the depots of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) anticipating a reduction in the price of petroleum products.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav on Wednesday evening directed the government to make new legal provisions for taking action against petroleum entrepreneurs indulging in the supply of essential petroleum products.

Following the directive of Minister Yadav, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the NOC held on Wednesday evening and added a clause to Clause 29 D (1) of the Petroleum Products Dealers By-laws, 2075 that the seller should not dry the nozzle and not get petroleum products.

The offense has imposed a fine of Rs 300,000 for the first time, a fine of Rs 100,000 for the first time, a fine of Rs 100,000 for the second time, stopping the supply for 15 days and a fine of Rs 1 million for the third time. Due to this provision, action will be taken if any petrol pump is found closed without proper reason in the coming days.