NOC tells LPG bottlers to send half-filled cylinders to market

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has directed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling companies to supply half-filled cylinders to the market to ease the ongoing shortage of cooking gas.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the state-owned petroleum supplier said bottlers have been instructed to circulate cylinders containing 7.1 kg of LPG instead of the standard 14.2 kg, and sell them at Rs 955 per cylinder until further notice.

According to NOC, the move was taken to streamline LPG distribution amid rising demand over the past two to three months. The NOC said that although supplies from its side have not been reduced, unusually high demand and hoarding by consumers have contributed to the shortage in the market, especially in Kathmandu Valley.

NOC imports petroleum products from the Indian government undertaking Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

“The ongoing conflict in West Asia has affected the global supply of petroleum products and LPG, creating pressure on importing countries. Supply constraints have also begun to affect Indian consumers,” it added

NOC urged consumers not to hoard cylinders and assured them that normal distribution will resume once supply conditions improve.