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Photo: TRN Local authorities have been monitoring gas depos in the district headquarters, Damauli.

Local authorities have intensified market monitoring across Tanahun district, including the district headquarters Damauli, following a severe shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The move comes after consumers complained about possible artificial shortages and black-marketing activities.

Monitoring teams from Vyas and Shuklagandaki municipalities have begun surprise monitoring of gas depots to assess the situation.

The teams, led by Vyas Municipality Deputy Mayor Indira Darai and Shuklagandaki Municipality Revenue Section Chief Ramchandra Subedi, include elected representatives and police personnel.

They have been collecting data on the number of cylinders in stock at various depots.During the inspections, depot operators were instructed to maintain clear records of consumers receiving gas cylinders and to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

However, gas distributors said that heavy cuts in supply have made it difficult to meet the demand.

Amid the shortage, social activists in Damauli staged a symbolic protest at the Administration Chowk by displaying empty gas cylinders.

Activists Mohammad Ghaffar Sudip and Sundar Prajapati handed over an empty cylinder to Administrative Officer of District Administration Office Bikash Shrestha to draw attention to the issue.

They claimed that although the Nepal Oil Corporation has stated there is no shortage, consumers are still returning home empty-handed.

Mayor of Shuklagandaki Municipality Krishna Raj Pandit also issued a statement on Sunday urging both traders and consumers to help manage the distribution of gas properly.

He warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found hoarding gas cylinders or charging higher prices.

Mayor Pandit also encouraged residents to increase the use of electricity as an alternative to cooking gas.

Dinesh Kumar Shrestha, Vice President of the Tanahun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the supply is insufficient compared to demand, posing management challenges.

Chief District Officer of Tanahun Shiva Lal Tiwari stated that the administration has taken the issue seriously and is working to improve supply, while also instructing traders not to hoard gas.

Earlier, the NOC decided to supply only half-filled cooking gas cylinders to the market starting Friday in an effort to address the ongoing panic among consumers.

The price of a half-filled cylinder will also be set at half the current price of a full cylinder. A half-filled cooking gas cylinder will cost Rs. 955 per cylinder.

'First come, first served' system

Meanwhile, according to our Lamjung correspondent, a meeting among concerned stakeholders in Lamjung has made decisions to organise the sale and distribution of cooking gas and other essential goods, aiming to prevent any artificial shortage.

The joint meeting, chaired by Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Khanal, decided to implement a “first come, first served” system for gas distribution.

According to the decision, gas dealers, depots, and retailers will provide only one cylinder per family and must maintain records of customers - including their name, address, phone number, and citizenship number or other identification documents.

The meeting also decided that gas depots will keep the details of the cylinders they have purchased and provided to retailers safe and provide them to the District Administration Office and District Police Office.

In addition, arrangements will be made for the depots and retailers to inform the District Administration Office, District Police Office and the concerned ward office in advance about the arrival of gas.

'First come, first served' system

Meanwhile, according to our Lamjung correspondent, a meeting among concerned stakeholders in Lamjung has made decisions to organise the sale and distribution of cooking gas and other essential goods, aiming to prevent any artificial shortage.

The joint meeting, chaired by Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Khanal, decided to implement a “first come, first served” system for gas distribution.

According to the decision, gas dealers, depots, and retailers will provide only one cylinder per family and must maintain records of customers - including their name, address, phone number, and citizenship number or other identification documents.

The meeting also decided that gas depots will keep the details of the cylinders they have purchased and provided to retailers safe and provide them to the District Administration Office and District Police Office.

In addition, arrangements will be made for the depots and retailers to inform the District Administration Office, District Police Office and the concerned ward office in advance about the arrival of gas.