Government Intensifies Monitoring Amid LP Gas Shortage in Market

Kathmandu. Following the emergence of a shortage of cooking LP gas in the market, the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection has intensified its monitoring activities.

According to a market inspection officer from the department, the main reasons for the gas shortage in the market are technical issues observed in bullet tanker transportation and panic buying (psychological fear) among consumers.

The officer stated that during inspections of gas industries, depots, and distributors in recent days, businesses were not found hoarding gas. "We inspected 10-12 locations, and no hoarding was found anywhere. Daily, 2,000 to 2,500 cylinders are arriving in the market, but they are running out within 15 minutes of arrival," he said.

According to him, the gas shortage is due to problems in bullet transportation and consumers excessively stockpiling gas. As per the agreement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation, the responsibility for transportation lies with the Indian side.

Currently, there was a slight decrease in bullet transportation as the system was undergoing a transitional phase of changing the tender for the transporters. A daily supply reduction of about 15 to 20 percent was observed. However, the supply has now stabilized.

Furthermore, after rumors of a gas shortage spread, consumers became anxious and started stockpiling more gas than necessary. Consumers who were previously content with one cylinder are now, based on rumors, keeping five cylinders filled when they have five empty ones, which has increased market demand and caused problems.

As a result, gas that normally sells in a week is now finishing in 15 minutes.

He mentioned that the bullet issue is a minor technical matter and is expected to be resolved within 5 to 10 days. He stated that the current shortage is based on rumors, and consumers' unnecessary stockpiling is creating a situation where genuine users cannot get gas.

He also claimed that because everyone is hoarding gas at home now, gas sales will come to a standstill after the next one or two months.