Kathmandu Metropolitan City Cracks Down on Artificial Shortages and Hoarding of Cooking Gas and Fuel

Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has intensified its monitoring against those creating artificial shortages of cooking gas and fuel for vehicles and engaging in black marketing. The KMC activated its monitoring mechanism following complaints that some entities were denying gas to customers claiming shortages, charging inflated prices, or turning away consumers at fuel depots despite adequate stock.

Mahesh Kafle, Chief of the Administration Department, stated, "We will take action against those spreading false information about gas shortages to create artificial price hikes and inconvenience the general public. Nepal Oil Corporation has set the price of gas at NPR 1,910 per cylinder. We request businesses and consumers to conduct transactions at this price."

"It has also been observed that consumers are demanding more gas out of fear of shortages. If accumulation of gas begins in this manner, it affects the demand and supply cycle. Therefore, consumers must also demand gas responsibly," Kafle added. "For a smooth livelihood, consumers, the industrial and commercial sector, and the government all share equal responsibility. Everyone must fulfill their respective duties."

He further mentioned that they have received information that petrol pumps are also denying fuel to vehicles despite having stock, and monitoring has begun in this area as well. If any activity creating gas or fuel shortages is observed, details based on facts can be reported to the KMC hotline numbers 1180 and 9851356509. The KMC will monitor based on the details received.

According to Gyaneshwor Aryal, Chairman of the LPG Sellers' Federation, Nepal, the supply of gas from India remains regular. The shortage is due to high demand. He stated that the problem would not arise if consumers refrained from demanding gas for hoarding.