NEW DELHI, April 6 (Reuters) – Countries in South Asia, home to a fifth of the world’s population and some struggling economies, have unveiled a number of measures to tackle the energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has squeezed supplies and raised prices.
Here is a look at some of the measures rolled out so far.
INDIA
* The government slashed excise duties on petrol and diesel. * Windfall taxes imposed on aviation fuel and dieselexports. * Emergency measures invoked to divert gas supplies fromnon-priority sectors to key users. * Oil refiners directed to increase production of liquefiedpetroleum gas.
PAKISTAN
* Government departments given 50% cut in fuel allowancesfor two months. * Work week shortened to four days for government offices. * All offices to operate with 50% staff physically present. * Pakistan Super League, a franchise-based Twenty20 cricketleague, moved behind closed doors.
BANGLADESH
* Offices and banks operate for seven hours, shopping mallsto close by 7 p.m. * Offices to cut power consumption, including by avoidingexcessive lighting. * Ban on decorative lighting at events. * Reduction in fuel and energy use in public offices,restrictions on non-essential travel.
NEPAL
* One-day weekly holiday in schools and government officesextended to two days. * Government to make “legal arrangements” to convert petroland diesel vehicles to electric vehicles. * Price of aviation fuel more than doubled to avoid supplydisruption. * Petrol and diesel prices raised. * Cooking gas rationing in force.
SRI LANKA
* Wednesday declared a public holiday to help fuel suppliesgo further. * Train and bus services reduced. * Power tariffs raised for households and industries.
MALDIVES
* Seeking fuel supply from India. * Fuel prices raised to maintain supply.
