Lalitpur, October 2:

Lack of adequate supply of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the Kathmandu Valley has hit consumers hard, resulting in them having to face many difficulties on a daily basis.

Bibendra Pradhanga, president of the Gas Dealers’ Association, talking to The Himalayan Times today, said: “The nation requires 7,500 metric tons of LPG every month, but only 5,200 metric tons has been imported and 70 per cent is only consumed in the Valley which is causing the shortage.”

“The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the only LPG supplier to Nepal, halted the supply for

15 days since last September, which is the main reason for the insufficient supply of gas in the city now,” he added.

He further said that people would have enough gas if the IOC continuously supplying 7,500 metric tons of gas each month.

The IOC had agreed to provide 9,000 metric tons of gas six months ago, but has not supplied the agreed amount till now. “If we received 9,000 metric tons every month, it would be more than enough,” said Pradhananga.

Blaming the government for the short supply of gas, he said: “There is a political reason behind the discontinuation of gas supply since last month”. “Either privatisation of the NOC or change in the government could be the ultimate solution for this year-long problem,” he said.

Umesh KC, a resident of Imadol-1, said that he is unable to buy gas since the past five days. “Neither there is cooking gas nor petroleum products in the Valley.”