Sirha. Complaints have increased that some vendors have started black marketing citing shortage of LP Gas (LPG) in the district.

Victims said that consumers and businessmen have to pay more than double the fixed price.

According to Pintu Raut, proprietor of Maharaja Restaurant and Hotel in Lahan, the shopkeepers have started charging exorbitant prices taking advantage of the shortage of cooking gas. “We were charged Rs 4,500 per cylinder for two cooking gas cylinders. How to pay nine thousand rupees? Then he had to return empty-handed. ”

Pramod Yadav, who runs a tea and snack shop in Siraha Municipality-6, said he was finding it difficult to run his business for not getting LPG in the fixed price. “We have to pay Rs 4,500 to buy cylinders,” he said. Now there is a concern that there will be a situation where we will not be able to eat. ”

The retail price of cooking gas (LPG) is Rs 1,910 per cylinder. However, consumers complain that they are being sold at more than double the price in the market.

Consumers’ rights activists have urged the bodies concerned to monitor the black marketing of cooking gas by creating artificial scarcity. The District Administration Office, Siraha, warned of action against those involved in black marketeering, said Assistant Chief District Officer Chet Raj Baral.

He said that action would be taken if anyone found guilty as black marketeering was against the law. “We will carry out market monitoring in coordination with the commerce office and the bodies concerned,” he said, adding, “Action will be taken as per the law if anyone found involved in black marketeering.” ”

Local distributors of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said that there was a shortage of LPG in the market due to problems in transportation and supply management, closure of borders for three days due to elections and consumers also stocking LPGs.