National Human Rights Commission Directs Government to Ensure Supply of Cooking Gas and Petroleum Products

Kathmandu. The National Human Rights Commission has directed the government to ensure the supply of gas and other petroleum products. The directive was issued to the government in a press release signed by the commission's spokesperson Shyam Babu Kafle on Friday.

He stated that attention has been drawn to various news reports published and broadcasted regarding the shortage of LPG gas in the Kathmandu Valley for some time, causing concern and fear among consumers due to the situation and subsequent tension arising in the Middle East.

In this context, the commission has monitored and observed the Nepal Oil Corporation, the Department of Commerce, the Nepal Food Corporation Limited, and depots involved in gas sales and distribution.

The press release stated, 'Monitoring and observation revealed that Nepal is primarily dependent on imports for the supply of petroleum products, that the raw materials required for import are being supplied regularly as usual, and although there is a slight shortage in supply due to the transportation management of some gas companies, the message being disseminated through various media that there is a problem in the overall gas supply management has led to an increase in the tendency of consumers to hoard more than necessary, and facts such as artificial shortages being created by some businesspersons have been obtained.'

The commission has directed the government to adopt all measures to facilitate the distribution of petroleum products, bring those found creating artificial shortages into the legal framework, take necessary initiatives to regulate the tendency of unnecessary hoarding, and immediately arrange for the supply of essential goods to protect consumer rights.