KATHMANDU: The government has decided to provide funds for the purchase of petroleum products to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), which is in trouble after accumulated savings fell to zero.

Monday’s meeting of the Price Stabilization Fund has decided to provide the remaining Rs. 4.25 billion the NOC has to pay under the first installment to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Even after the price adjustment of petroleum products last Thursday, NOC stated that there was a loss of around Rs 2.5 billion in 15 days. The purchase price of NOC has been increasing due to the recent rise in the price of crude oil in the international market.

The oil corporation had sought funds from the Fund after the first installment to the IOC due in March was insufficient. NOC has been paying installments to IOC on the 8th and 23rd of every month. Prior to this, Rs 1.80 billion was provided to NOC from the stabilization fund in January.

Spokesperson Binit Mani Upadhyaya said that the decision of the government to provide funds to the NOC would help in keeping the supply of petroleum products smooth.