Are They Selling Gas or New Cylinders ?

Now Kathmanduites are suffering an acute shortage of cooking gas. When a consumer goes to the local gas dealer, he gets a ready answer: No gas. The other day when I went to a local dealer at Shantinagar (Kathmandu-34) to get my gas cylinder, he told me to wait for 61 days of 9 wanted the cylinder filled. I was totally surprised to hear this. How can a family in these cool days maintain everyday life without gas for over two months? Later the same, dealer suggested that if I bought a new cylinder, he could provide the gas next day. Had hooption but to pay Rs.2200 for a new cylinder, fourth in the row. Otherwise, my spouse would make me to light the old and leaking kerosene stove every time.

Here I cannot understand why the dealers are not filling the empty cylinders and forcing the consumers to buy new ones. Or are the dealers trying to sell only new cylinders and not gas? In fact, the increasing number of LP gas-fueled microbuses and tempos in the capital and the price hike of kerosene have been the main causes behind the shortage of cooking gas. Unless the concerned authorities double the existing imports of gas, the consumers will continue to suffer.

Umesh Uprety
Shantinagar,Kathamndu