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The Home Ministry and the Ministry of Industry have mobilized plainclothes police officers across various liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) depots in the Kathmandu Valley following reports of hoarding, artificial shortages and black-market sales.

The move comes amid a growing number of complaints and reports received by the Ministry of Industry alleging that an artificial shortage of cooking gas has been created in the market despite there being no significant disruption in LPG imports from India.

Industry Minister Gauri Yadav had expressed serious concern over the reports and urged Home Minister Sudan Gurung to deploy police personnel to monitor LPG depots and take action against traders involved in creating artificial shortages and selling gas at inflated prices.

Following the minister’s request, Home Minister Gurung directed the police administration to step up monitoring and take necessary action.

In line with the directive, plainclothes police personnel began monitoring LPG depots across the Kathmandu Valley from early Sunday morning.

The officers have been tasked with keeping a close watch on the distribution and sale of cooking gas and identifying any attempts to manipulate supplies.

Authorities said immediate action would be taken against anyone found hoarding LPG cylinders, deliberately creating artificial shortages, charging prices above the government-set rate or engaging in black-market sales.

The Home Ministry said that, based on information gathered during the ongoing monitoring in the Kathmandu Valley, similar surveillance could be expanded to LPG depots and sales outlets in other districts if necessary.

The government has reiterated that it will not tolerate attempts to create artificial shortages or cause unnecessary hardship to consumers when LPG supplies remain adequate.

Authorities are also preparing to intensify inspections and enforcement measures to curb black-market activities and ensure that consumers receive cooking gas at the prescribed price.