Key Takeaways:

• Manakamana and Bheri Gas stopped supply for about a week in Kailali
• Consumers forced to wait several days or switch brands for cylinders
• Administration inspections found no overall shortage, only irregular supply
• Authorities warned against hoarding and black marketing of LPG

DHANGADHI, AUGUST 11 Consumers of two LPG brands in Kailali have been facing difficulties obtaining cooking gas after Manakamana and Bheri Gas stopped supplying cylinders to the market for about a week. The disruption has particularly affected consumers who rely on the two brands, forcing some to wait several days or switch to other companies' cylinders. Dhangadhi resident Phaliram Chaudhary said he had to wait three days to get a cylinder after his regular brand became unavailable. He said he was eventually forced to purchase a cylinder from another company. Hotel operator Tank Khanal of Dhangadhi said he too had to wait one or two days to obtain LPG. Amid reports of a gas shortage, the local administration conducted inspections of gas dealers and authorised distributors in Dhangadhi under the leadership of Assistant Chief District Officer Khadananda Khatri. The inspection found that there was no overall shortage of LPG in the district, although irregular supply by some companies had created problems for consumers of specific brands, Khatri said. Administration warns against hoarding The administration has also warned consumers and hotel operators against stockpiling cylinders after unverified reports of a gas shortage led some people to store more cylinders than they normally require. Such hoarding could create an artificial shortage and make it harder for consumers without access to stored cylinders to obtain gas, officials said. Gas dealers have been instructed not to sell more than one cylinder to an individual at a time and to verify customers' identities before making sales, Khatri said. The administration said the supply of Radiant and Shaipal Gas was currently not facing similar problems. Officials have particularly cautioned against excessive stockpiling by individuals, noting that it could disproportionately affect people who have limited access to LPG, including students living in rented accommodation and other consumers. The local administration has warned that anyone found creating an artificial shortage or engaging in black marketing of LPG will face legal action.