Kathmandu, October 6
The Gas Dearler Federation Nepal has drawn the attention of the Nepal Oil Corporation, saying the shortage of cooking gas in Nepal is worsening and consumers are suffering.
The federation submitted a memorandum to the corporation’s executive director, Nagendra Sah. It demanded an immediate end to retail gas sales by industries and arrangements for sales and distribution only through dealers.
Federation president Gyaneshwar Aryal said the main cause of the shortage is that there are more cylinders in the market than needed.
Ignoring this, various gas industries are selling new cylinders at Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,700 each, and the federation has strongly objected. It said the Nepal Oil Corporation and the government remain silent spectators even as industries sell new cylinders, and it expressed doubts about the conduct of industry owners, the corporation and the government.
The federation said that instead of refunding deposits for the unnecessary cylinders already in the market, industries plan to sell new 5 kg, 19 kg, 50 kg and 450 kg cylinders in the coming years with the aim of fleecing ordinary consumers. It warned that such a plan would not be acceptable to a civilised society.
To make gas distribution transparent and orderly, the federation urged the corporation mainly to stop the continuing retail sales by industries immediately and arrange for gas to be sold only through dealers.
It also asked the corporation to identify the cause of the shortage correctly, ensure smooth supply in consultation with stakeholders, and properly manage the 14.2 kg cylinders currently used by the public.
