Fix the LPG Supply Chain

The recurring shortage of LPG cooking gas has once again exposed serious weaknesses in Nepal's fuel supply and distribution system. Consumers are again forced to stand in long queues with empty cylinders, while many households are left with no option but to cook with electricity or buy gas at inflated prices through informal channels. Such a situation is unacceptable for an essential household commodity. The government must act immediately to ensure the smooth supply of LPG, crack down on hoarding and artificial shortages, and strengthen the distribution system to prevent this crisis from becoming an annual ritual. Since the import and distribution of petroleum products remain under the monopoly of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a reliable supply rests with the government. Yet while consumers struggle to find cooking gas, the government and the NOC continue to insist there is no shortage. This disconnect between official claims and public experience only undermines trust. If supplies are indeed adequate, the government must explain why thousands of consumers cannot obtain cylinders when they need them.