KATHMANDU: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has said that the current shortage of cooking gas in the market is due to supply failing to meet demand.
Speaking at a program organized by the National Consumer Forum in Kathmandu on Monday, department director Narahari Tiwari said the shortage has emerged mainly because the supply of LPG has fallen short of the required level.
He said around 130 gas bullets per day are needed to meet demand, but the department has received information that only about 90 bullets are currently arriving daily.
Tiwari also noted that market monitoring conducted after reports of the shortage did not find traders hoarding cooking gas.
However, he acknowledged that some consumers appear to have stored gas due to psychological fear of a worsening shortage.
The department has also been monitoring the sale and distribution of induction stoves along with cooking gas, he added.
At the same event, Premlal Maharjan, chair of the National Consumer Forum, blamed the shortage on the inefficiency of the Nepal Oil Corporation and alleged that some traders had created an artificial shortage by hiding supplies and engaging in black marketing.
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