Gulmi, August 4
Authorities have intensified market inspections in Tamghas after a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking was reported in recent weeks. The joint inspection was launched under the leadership of the Cottage and Small Industries Office, Gulmi, following rising consumer complaints about the difficulty of obtaining cooking gas.
The inspection team included representatives from the Cottage and Small Industries Office, the District Administration Office, the Nepal Journalists’ Federation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce, the Gas Dealers’ Association, and other concerned agencies. They inspected gas dealers as well as wholesale and retail outlets across Tamghas.
Rajib Aryal, chief of the Cottage and Small Industries Office, Gulmi, said the inspection aimed to assess the status of LPG supply, collect data on available stock, and determine whether the shortage was due to artificial hoarding or inadequate supply. During the joint inspection, 39 wholesale and retail LPG dealers in Tamghas were inspected. The team found that while demand for LPG remains very high, supplies have not been able to keep pace. As a result, the market is facing a shortage of cooking gas.
According to data collected during the inspection, Tamghas has storage capacity for a total of 2,846 LPG cylinders. However, dealers currently have only 258 filled cylinders in stock, while 2,588 cylinders are empty. The figures indicate that the available supply is far below market demand. Aryal said the shortage is primarily due to a sharp rise in demand and insufficient supply rather than the creation of an artificial shortage.
He added that regular market inspections will continue and that the office is coordinating with the relevant authorities to improve the supply system. He also urged consumers not to stockpile LPG unnecessarily and to purchase only what they need, saying all stakeholders are working to ensure orderly distribution. The shortage has forced many residents to struggle with daily cooking, prompting locals to call on the authorities to restore a steady supply as soon as possible.
The joint inspection team said it will continue to monitor the LPG supply situation regularly and take necessary measures to protect consumers’ interests.
