KATHMANDU: Ujyaalo Nepal Party Chairman Kulman Ghising has demanded that the government take action to control the shortage, black marketeering, and arbitrary price hikes of LP gas during the ongoing national crisis caused by natural disasters.
Ghising stated via social media that consumers are facing a situation where they must struggle significantly just to secure a single cylinder of gas, describing the state’s lack of sensitivity toward public suffering as regrettable.
Ghising noted that under regulation 20(c) of the LP Gas Regulations, 2065, the authority to adjust gas prices lies solely with the Nepal Oil Corporation.
He argued that price increases imposed by traders citing transportation costs are a serious issue. ‘A situation has been created where one must win a major war just to get a single cylinder of gas. It is extremely sad and objectionable that the state mechanism is not sensitive to the pain of the general consumer even during such a crisis,’ he said.
He further criticized the government’s policy of imposing Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption, calling it contradictory at a time when the use of electric appliances for cooking should be encouraged.
Ghising described the lack of an independent LP gas bottling plant for the Nepal Oil Corporation as unfortunate and emphasized the need to reduce dependency on imported gas by promoting domestic, clean, and reliable electric energy.
Ghising has formally requested the government to effectively mobilize state mechanisms to curb black marketeering, ensure regular supply, reverse unauthorized price hikes, and withdraw the VAT on electricity consumption to encourage its use for household purposes.
