Artificial Shortage of LPG Gas in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, Authorities Seize Hundreds of Cylinders

Kathmandu. The rampant profiteering by creating an artificial shortage of cooking LPG gas in the market has increased. While ordinary consumers are wandering without gas, it has come to light that middlemen and some traders are hoarding and selling gas at exorbitant prices. In this regard, the police have raided various places in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur and recovered hundreds of cylinders of gas that were hidden. Traders who created an artificial shortage and sold gas at inflated prices in the Narephat and Samakhushi areas of Kathmandu have fallen into the police net. The team from the Valley Crime Investigation Office recovered 183 cylinders from Narephat in Kathmandu-32 and 189 cylinders from Samakhushi. Police have arrested Narayan Shrestha, operator of Ramchhap Brand Gas Dealer in Narephat, and Pradip Ghimire, who conducts gas business through 'Hamro Sagarmatha Cooperative Institution' in Basundhara, on charges of gas black marketing. On Thursday, the Crime Investigation Office team also recovered 75 cylinders from Suryabinayak and 28 cylinders from Itachhe in Bhaktapur. Umesh Shah, 25, operator of Sarlaahi General Store in Suryabinayak, and Rajesh Karmacharya, 41, who sells Sagar gas in Itachhe, have been arrested on charges of gas black marketing in Bhaktapur. Trader Shah was found to be selling gas to consumers for up to Rs 2800 per cylinder.

On one hand, gas is being hoarded and black marketed, while on the other hand, the crowd of consumers at official depots and gas industries is becoming uncontrollable. There is a huge rush of consumers for brands like Nepal Gas, HP Gas, etc. Due to the crowd of consumers coming to depots to get gas, some industries and depots have had to deploy armed police for distribution. The government has stated that it is taking steps with high priority to control the LPG gas shortage and black marketing in the market. Although there are some problems in gas supply to the valley due to road blockades, the government claims that efforts are being intensified to ease the supply through the joint efforts of the government, Oil Corporation, and gas industrialists. Newly appointed Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Deepak Kumar Shah, immediately after assuming office, announced that ensuring the smooth supply of gas required by the general public is his first priority. Minister Shah, who reached the ministry after taking the oath on Thursday, had announced that he would hold discussions and take necessary steps immediately. Accordingly, the ministry has informed that a command post has been established to monitor the supply and distribution of gas. Regarding this matter, Minister Shah has called for a discussion with gas industrialists at 5 PM.