April 25: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has imported petroleum products worth Rs 46.76 billion via Birgunj border point only within the nine months of the current fiscal year 2073/74 BS.

According to Sewantak Pokharel, official of the Birgunj Customs Office, the corporation has paid revenue of more than Rs 10.82 billion while importing petroleum products from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). The Customs informed that 70 percent of total petroleum products consumed in the country is imported via the Birgunj border point.

According to the Customs Office, the import of petroleum products decreased significantly due to last year’s Madhesh movement and border blockade. In the review period of last year, oil and LPG worth Rs 15.53 billion was imported through the Birgunj border. Despite the increment in import of petroleum products, the cost paid for it has decreased compared to FY 2071/72 BS.

During that year, petroleum products of Rs 53.81 billion was imported in Nepal. Pokharel said, “It is the result of low price in petroleum products. Though there was increase of import, the cost for it has comparatively decreased than in the past.”

The report of Birgunj Customs Office suggests that diesel is imported most in the period. The corporation has imported 473,069 kilolitres of diesel within nine months of current FY.

Customs Officer Arun  Poudel informed that Rs 23.91 billion is spent for importing diesel whereas Rs 8.26 billion (166,758 kiloliters) of petrol has been imported.

In the review year of 2071/2072 BS, where import and export was normal, 370,000 kiloliters of diesel and 132,408 kiloliters of petrol was imported.

The report shows that 111,694 kiloliters of aviation fuel was imported within the nine months of the current FY.

Likewise, 133.844 million kilos of cooking gas was imported during the review period, shows the report. The Birgunj Customs Office has ranked petroleum in second place as regards contribution of revenue collection after the import of automobiles.