Himal Press 
Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki convenes a meeting to discuss shortage of LPG in the market.
KATHMANDU: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottlers have attributed the current shortage of cooking gas in the market to a sudden surge in demand after the government resumed the distribution of full 14.2-kilogram cylinders.
The government had earlier introduced 7.1-kilogram half cylinders to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply following disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia. According to distributors, the sudden and unexpected demand was seen as many consumers are now simultaneously seeking to replace those with full cylinders.
Speaking at a meeting convened by Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki on Tuesday to resolve the shortage, distributors said there was no actual shortage of LPG.
Chief Secretary Karki said the government would continue consultations with stakeholders to develop a long-term solution to recurring LPG supply problems.
Krishna Bhakta Shrestha, president of the Nepal LPG Industries Association, said gas companies were currently importing more LPG than before. “The current shortage is due to consumers stockpiling cylinders beyond their immediate needs,” he added.
“Consumers rushed to get the full cylinder once industries resumed distribution of 14.2 kg cylinders.”
–Krishna Bhakta Shrestha, president, Nepal LPG Industries Association
Shrestha said LPG imports declined by 45,000 tons over the past six months during which bottlers distributed 7.1 kilograms per cylinder as per the government decision. “Consumers rushed to get the full cylinder once industries resumed distribution of 14.2 kg cylinders,” he said. “A monthly import of 55,000-60,000 tons over the next three months will help normalize supply.”
The meeting also decided to strengthen coordination among the concerned agencies to make LPG distribution more effective, regular and smooth in districts experiencing supply disruptions.
According to the association, the current shortage was also seen due to lower imports in April and May. Compared to the past year, LPG imports in April and May fell by about 17,000 and 20,000 tons, respectively.
Senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Oil Corporation, and representatives of the Nepal LPG Industries Association were present in the meeting.
