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The government, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industrialists have assured consumers that there is no need to stockpile cooking gas, saying the current supply and distribution are sufficient to meet regular demand.

Speaking at a press conference organised at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies on Friday, officials said the LPG supply chain remained functional from import to distribution, although a sudden rise in demand and transportation-related challenges had caused temporary difficulties in getting refills.

Secretary at the Ministry Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadee said the government had intensified efforts to make LPG distribution more systematic and accessible amid increased demand following the resumption of full 14.2-kg cylinder distribution.

He said demand for LPG had declined over the four months of Chaitra, Baishakh, Jestha and Asar when the NOC distributed half-filled cylinders. Monthly demand during the period stood at around 32,000 to 38,000 tonnes, compared with normal consumption of 45,000 to 46,000 tonnes.

“After the NOC started supplying fully filled cylinders from July 15, consumers rushed to refill their empty cylinders, creating temporary demand pressure,” Duwadee said.

According to the ministry, consumption of LPG fell by around 2.1 million cylinders during the four-month period.

He said that it would take some time to clear the backlog and that the ministry was making efforts to address the situation.

Nepal currently has 58 LPG industries with a combined storage capacity of 10,166 tonnes, said the ministry.

Joint Secretary at the ministry Netra Prasad Subedi said LPG imports and distribution were continuing at levels sufficient to meet regular demand.

During the first 29 days of Saun, 2,781 LPG bullets were imported, while daily distribution increased from the usual average of around 110,000 cylinders to approximately 132,000 cylinders.

"The government is taking measures to bridge the gap between rising demand and supply. Diplomatic efforts are also continuing to ensure adequate imports," he said.

The government of Nepal has requested the Government of India, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to increase monthly LPG supplies from the current 49,500 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes for three months. The Indian Oil Corporation has started supplying additional cooking gas beyond the normal import volume, he said.

The ministry has also formed a Quick Response Team (QRT), comprising representatives from the ministry, NOC and Nepal LP Gas Industry Association, to address consumer complaints.

The QRT, which began operating on Saun 20, had addressed 3,444 complaints by Saun 28.

The highest number of complaints - 603 - was received on Saun 26, while the number fell to 370 by Saun 28, a decline of around 41 per cent, said Subedi.

NOC Managing Director Nagendra Sah said the current shortage did not indicate a complete failure of the supply system.

According to him, an imbalance between supply and demand had resulted in some consumers not receiving gas on time.

Sah said households that keep only one cylinder at home had been particularly affected.

He said families without an additional cylinder in stock had faced immediate difficulties when demand for gas increased in the market.

He said the NOC was making efforts to ease the supply system at the earliest, adding that support from gas industrialists, dealers, distributors and consumers was essential to resolve the problem.

He asked gas industrialists not to sell new gas cylinders in the market and to give priority to consumers in need.

President of the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association Diwan Bahadur Chand said the distribution of cooking gas had increased in recent weeks compared with normal levels.

He said around 120 gas bullets were currently entering Nepal and that industries were distributing gas effectively.