. There is a shortage of LP gas in the market again. Consumers are facing problems due to lack of supply of cylinders of Nepal Gas, HP Gas, Gita Gas among others. Consumers have started queuing up at various dealers and outlets to buy gas.

Nepal TAG_OPEN_p_12 Oil Corporation (NOC) has said that the import of LPG has been regular. According to NOC Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur, the demand for empty cylinders has increased in the market after the distribution of full weight cylinders started from July 14.

Since last February, the corporation had been distributing half weight cylinders for supply management.TAG_OPEN_p_11 According to the NOC, there has been a temporary shortage as many consumers come to fill gas at once with the opening of the sale of full-weight cylinders after four months.

According to the NOC, LPG is being supplied as per quota from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).TAG_OPEN_p_10 Nepal imported 38,000 metric tonnes in April while 32,000 metric tonnes in April, 33,000 metric tonnes in May and 44,000 metric tonnes in mid-June. According to the NOC, it has already imported 26,000 metric tonnes of cooking gas till July 29.

In normal circumstances, 45,000 to 50,TAG_OPEN_p_9 000 metric tons of cooking gas is consumed in Nepal every month. The NOC has started distributing LPG from its office in Teku from Saturday as demand has increased in the market. According to the NOC, customers have thronged Teku office and Salt Trading Corporation (STC) in Kalimati to buy cooking gas.

Currently TAG_OPEN_p_8, 59 LPG industries are importing and distributing LP gas in Nepal.