KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal has reduced the official working week from six days to five for civil servants and educational institutions, an emergency administrative measure to conserve energy as the Middle East war triggers severe fuel supply disruptions.
Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel announced Sunday, April 5, that the two-day weekend—adding Sunday to the existing Saturday holiday—takes effect immediately.
Government offices will now operate 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Administrative Adaptation
“Given the present uncomfortable situation caused by fuel supply, the government and educational institutions remain closed for two days,” Pokharel said.
The measure represents a governance response to energy vulnerability: reducing operational hours cuts public sector fuel consumption while maintaining essential service continuity.
Supply Vulnerability
Nepal, a landlocked nation of 30 million people, relies almost entirely on India for fossil fuel supplies—a geographic and diplomatic dependency that amplifies exposure to international price shocks and supply chain disruptions.
The Nepal Oil Corporation, the state fuel monopoly, has incurred heavy losses on petroleum products despite recent price hikes. Aviation fuel prices nearly doubled Thursday.
Last month, authorities began selling half-filled cooking gas cylinders to discourage hoarding and panic buying, alongside public appeals for consumption reduction.
Electrification Push
Pokharel said the government is exploring legal frameworks to convert petrol and diesel vehicles to electric power, though it provided no implementation timeline or regulatory details.
The announcement signals accelerated energy transition planning driven by supply security rather than climate objectives—a shift increasingly common among import-dependent economies facing fossil fuel volatility.
Regional Context
Nepal’s crisis response highlights governance challenges for landlocked developing countries without domestic energy resources or diversified supply routes.
The weekend reduction—affecting education and administration—prioritises energy conservation over economic activity, a trade-off with long-term productivity implications if prolonged.
