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The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has urged commercial establishments including hotels, restaurants and party venues not to stock liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders beyond their actual operational requirements.

The state-owned oil monopoly stated that standard, fully filled 14.2 kg gas cylinders have been supplied to the market since July 16.

Despite a nearly 20 percent increase in LPG imports and distribution compared to previous levels, the corporation conducted market inspections after receiving widespread complaints from general consumers regarding difficulties in purchasing cooking gas.

During the inspections, market monitoring teams found that several commercial businesses - such as hotels, restaurants, and party venues - were holding LPG cylinder stocks far exceeding their immediate needs.

In response, the corporation has instructed these businesses to refrain from unnecessary hoarding and immediately sell any surplus stock to household consumers through their respective local depots and dealers.

NOC Spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur warned that strict legal action will be taken under existing laws against any entity found hoarding gas cylinders in defiance of the official directive.