Chitwan, November 28

Commerce and Supply Management Department has suspected of irregularities in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas in Chitwan district.

According to Hari Narayan Belbase, director of the department, around 55,000 cylinders have been distributed after the blockade at border checkpoints. “How else should be take the shortage that exists even after distribution of 55,000 cylinders in a district that has 75,000 households using LPG?” he questioned.

Speaking to journalists about the findings of market monitoring, he said, “In view of the amount of LPG cylinders distributed here, continuing shortage seems unjustifiable,” he said, adding that they suspect involvement of police administration, LPG bottling plants and traders in creating artificial shortage.

Chief District Officer Binod Prakash Singh denied irregularities in distribution of LPG cylinders. “Instead we helped distribution of cooking gas,” he said, casting doubts over the market monitoring carried out by the department.

There are about half a dozen LPG bottling plants in Chitwan.