MP Prakash Pathak Raises Concerns Over Fuel Price Hikes and Gas Cylinder Quality

Kathmandu. MP Prakash Pathak has drawn the government's attention to the price hike of petroleum products and the quality of gas cylinders. Speaking at a meeting of the Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Welfare Committee, he stated that the price of petroleum products in Nepal is excessively high compared to neighboring countries, making the lives of citizens difficult.

MP Pathak presented data showing that the price increase in Nepal is unusual and surprising when converted to Nepali currency based on international market prices.

"Today, when the international market price is converted to Nepali, the price of petrol in Nepal reaches 219 rupees, while in India it is 150 rupees 96 paisa, in Bhutan 102, and in Bangladesh only 128 rupees," he said, "There is a huge difference of 117 rupees in petrol between landlocked countries Bhutan and Nepal. Why is there this difference?"

He stated that it is unfortunate that Nepal Oil Corporation is never seen in profit despite such high prices, and the direct impact of price increases is felt from consumer goods to the transportation of construction materials.

Speaking about the safety and quality of gas cylinders, MP Pathak claimed that gas cylinders are unsafe. He said, "Studies conducted at various times have shown that gas cylinders are extremely unsafe. There is a frightening situation where we might be sending bombs instead of gas to homes."

MP Pathak also raised the issue of consumers being cheated due to the sludge inside gas cylinders. He stated that there is 1 to 2 liters of sludge in the cylinders, and the public is forced to pay the same price for it as for gas. "Why should ordinary families pay for the sludge caused by the negligence of the production company?" he asked, demanding immediate action from the ministry for its monitoring and management.

In the meeting, he urged the minister and concerned bodies to work in favor of the citizens and find solutions to these problems.