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Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has started selling cooking gas of a few specific brands from its own outlet in Teku, Kathmandu, amid growing consumer complaints about shortages.

Instead of regulating the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across the country, the state-owned monopoly has opted to sell filled LPG cylinders from its designated outlet. Issuing a public notice, the NOC said it has started selling cooking gas from Saturday between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.

According to the NOC, it is selling LPG supplied by bottlers including Nepal Gas, HP Gas, Everest Gas, Sugam Gas and Shreeram Gas. However, users of other LPG brands may not be able to purchase cylinders through the NOC outlet.

The NOC stated that demand for LPG in the Kathmandu Valley is high and consumers have complained about difficulty obtaining cylinders. It said the decision to sell and distribute LPG from its own office was intended to ease the situation. Consumers, however, have reported waiting for weeks to purchase a single cylinder of LPG. Despite widespread complaints, the state-owned oil monopoly maintains that imports exceed demand while acknowledging its inability to regulate the market and instead resorting to direct sales.

The NOC has also requested consumers to contact the corporation if they are unable to obtain cooking gas in their localities.