Kathmandu, March 15: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)has warned that action will be taken against traders who create artificial shortages of cooking gas and petroleum products or engage in black marketing.
Mahesh Kafle, chief of the KMC administration department of the metropolitan city, said monitoring has been intensified after complaints that some sellers are refusing to supply gas despite having stock. There are also reports that customers are being told gas will soon run out so that it can be sold at higher prices, while some fuel depots have been turning consumers away despite having sufficient fuel.
Kafle said spreading false information about gas shortages, charging higher prices, or creating difficulties in daily life for the public will lead to action. The Nepal Oil Corporation has fixed the price of a cooking gas cylinder at Rs 955, and businesses have been urged to sell at that price.
He said the perception of shortage has partly been caused by consumers storing extra cylinders at home out of fear of supply disruption. Such hoarding can disrupt the balance between demand and supply. Kafle urged consumers to purchase gas responsibly, adding that maintaining a smooth public life requires responsibility from consumers, businesses, and the government alike.
The metropolitan city also said it has received information that some petrol pumps are refusing to supply fuel to vehicles even when they have stock. Monitoring of fuel stations has begun as well.
Residents who notice activities that create artificial shortages of gas or fuel can report them through the metropolitan hotline number 1180. The city will investigate cases based on the information received.
According to Gyaneshwor Aryal, president of the Gas Sellers Federation Nepal, cooking gas imports from India remain regular. He urged consumers not to make unnecessary purchases for stockpiling.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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