KATHMANDU: Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the government to ensure a transparent, accountable and consumer-friendly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution system, amid an ongoing shortage of cooking gas in the Kathmandu Valley.

In a press statement issued on Friday, NHRC spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel said the commission had instructed the government to strengthen regular and surprise market inspections, improve transparency and accountability in the LPG distribution process, and ensure consumers have easy access to essential supplies.

The commission also urged the government to take legal action against those creating artificial shortages, regulate unnecessary stockpiling, ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, and safeguard consumers’ rights.

The NHRC said it had sought information from the Food Management and Trading Company Limited, Nepal Oil Corporation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Consumer Protection and consumers after the recent LPG shortage affected households across the Kathmandu Valley.

The commission added that it has also been monitoring LPG distribution depots. During its inspections, it found that consumers were struggling to obtain cooking gas, while the absence of a tracking system had encouraged some households to stockpile more cylinders than necessary.

According to the commission, the practice of prioritizing regular customers has disproportionately affected students, daily wage earners and low-income households that own only a single gas cylinder. It also found indications that some distributors had contributed to artificial shortages.

Although the Department of Consumer Protection said it has been conducting regular market inspections to curb artificial shortages, black marketing and unjustified price hikes, the commission noted that LPG shortages continue to persist in the market.