KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Youth and student organizations, close to the CPN -UML and CPN (Maoist Center), have demanded immediate withdrawal of the hike in the price of petroleum products.

Submitting a memorandum to officiating General Manager of the Nepal Oil Corporation, Sushil Bhattarai, on Thursday, they protested the price hike of petroleum products during political transition period.

On the occasion, NOC officiating GM Bhattarai said that the NOC was compelled to increase price of petroleum products as price of petroleum products was increased in international market.

Whereas, the student organizations complained that the past agreement of making separate gas cylinders for domestic purpose and business purpose was not implemented. The organizations also demanded to withdraw the decision of price hike immediately as it makes negative impact on daily life.

Bhattarai assured the youth students to take their demands seriously. The memo bearing the signature of Chairman of Youth Association Nepal, Rajeev Pahari, Young Communist league Chairman, Ram Prasad Sapkota, All Nepal National Free Students Union Chairperson, Nabina Lama, All Nepal National Independent Students Union Chairperson, Ranjit Tamang, was submitted to Acting GM Bhattarai.

The NOC had on January 1 increased the price of petroleum products. Price of per cylinder gas has increased by Rs 25, and domestic aviation fuel by Rs 3 per liter.

As per the new price, petrol is traded at Rs 102 per litre, diesel and petrol at Rs 79 per liter and cooking gas at Rs 1,375 per cylinder. RSS