LP Gas Industry Association Chairman Assures No Gas Shortage in Market

Kathmandu. Nepal LP Gas Industry Association Chairman Diwan Bahadur Chand has stated that there is no shortage of gas in the market and the supply is exceeding demand. Speaking at a press conference organized at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on Friday, he urged consumers not to hoard gas unnecessarily. Informing that a joint press release from Nepal Oil Corporation, the ministry, and the Gas Industry Association has been issued, Chairman Chand clarified that the industrialists are committed to ensuring the gas supply system across the country. According to Chairman Chand, approximately 120 bullets of gas are entering Nepal daily. This quantity is about 15 percent more than the demand under normal conditions. 'We are supplying gas from Taplejung to Dadeldhura,' he said, 'Despite the import of more gas than demand, the main reason for the shortage seen in the market is the fear among consumers and the tendency to hoard.' Chand analyzes that the psychological fear seen in both consumers and sellers has contributed to the gas shortage in the market. 'The problem has arisen because consumers, fearing that gas might not be available, are trying to stock filled cylinders rather than exchanging empty ones,' he added, 'According to sellers, the number of people asking when new gas will arrive is higher than those buying new gas.' He informed that to make the gas distribution process transparent, details of which industry sent how much gas to which seller every day are being provided to Nepal Oil Corporation and the concerned District Administration Office. He stated that monitoring is also being carried out in the districts based on this. Appealing specially to consumers, Chairman Chand said, 'There is no obstruction in gas import, it is coming regularly. Therefore, buy only as much gas as you need with confidence.' He said that if unnecessary stock is not kept, students, those living in rented accommodations, and helpless individuals will easily get gas.