6,000 seized gas cylinders ready for market release
The department concluded that while consumers struggled to access gas, the company deliberately hoarded stock to exploit the market situation.
KATHMANDU: Shree Ram Gas Industry Pvt. Ltd., located in Harisiddhi, Lalitpur, has been fined for creating an artificial shortage of cooking gas amid rising consumer complaints.
The Department of Commerce, Supply, and Consumer Protection imposed a fine of Rs 300,000 after discovering a large stock of concealed cylinders during an inspection.
On March 16, a departmental team raided the company’s warehouse and found 6,377 filled 14.2-kg cylinders hidden from the market.
The department concluded that while consumers struggled to access gas, the company deliberately hoarded stock to exploit the market situation.
Under Section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075, the company was found guilty of creating an artificial shortage and hoarding essential goods.
Section 39 of the same Act allowed the department to levy an immediate penalty. Authorities warned that companies exploiting market difficulties through unnatural stockpiling would be closely monitored.
The seized cylinders have been handed over to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for immediate distribution to consumers.
Officials are deliberating whether to release them as full 14.2-kg cylinders or split them into 7.1-kg “half” cylinders to reach more households.
NOC spokesperson Manoj Thakur said, “The Department of Commerce has already taken action against the company. We are now coordinating to ensure the seized cylinders reach as many consumers as possible. A final decision on distribution will be implemented soon.”
