After the government cut diesel prices by Nu 16 per litre, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA) carried out nationwide price surveillance. The Authority reported that no fuel depot had increased prices, while a few were selling below government-approved rates.
The CCAA assessed petrol and diesel rates at 73 retail outlets nationwide, including those operated by Bhutan Oil Corporation Limited, Druk Petroleum Corporation Limited, Druk Petroleum Distribution Limited, and the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan Limited.
The Price Surveillance Report, released on Friday, confirmed that fuel retail outlets are fully following government-approved prices.
The report noted minor deviations at five outlets, which charged diesel slightly below the approved rate, ranging from Nu 0.35 to 0.48 per litre. CCAA says that selling below the approved price does not violate compliance rules, as consumers are not disadvantaged.
The CCAA recommends continuing regular ad hoc surveillance after each price revision to ensure compliance and quickly detect any overcharging.
Currently, diesel costs Nu 92.12 per litre and petrol Nu 85 per litre at Thimphu fuel depots.
Tashi Dekar
