April 19: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has issued a directive to different ministries, government bodies and public agencies to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent.     
Issuing a notice on Monday, the Ministry of Finance directed the concerned government agencies to reduce the budget allocated under the heading of fuel for the current fiscal year by 20 percent.    
The MoF clarified that the measure taken to reduce fuel consumption would however not be applicable for development projects, to maintain law and order, and for most essential services as well as the upcoming local level election.    
Stating that the growing trade deficit, decline in inflow of remittance and foreign currency reserves have mounted pressure on national economy, the ministry said that the government on April 13 decided to cut budget allocated under the heading of fuel consumption.    
According to the ministry, the government decided to reduce the budget allocated under the heading of administration and fuel consumption by 10 percent each to promote the consumption of clean energy.    
The measure to cut-off fuel would remain effective up to July 15, informed Finance Ministry Spokesperson Dhundi Prasad Niraula. The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration would monitor whether the decision has been implemented or not. -- RSS