SATV, Kathmandu, October 6- The Gas Dealers Federation Nepal has demanded an immediate end to retail sales of cooking gas directly from gas industries, calling for distribution exclusively through authorized dealers.

Issuing a statement, Federation President Gyaneshwar Aryal said that ending continuous retail sales by gas industries and distributing gas only through dealers would make the distribution system more organized and ensure that consumers can obtain cooking gas more easily.

The federation said that consumers are still unable to obtain cooking gas conveniently.

It attributed the continued shortage of cooking gas to the presence of more cylinders in the market than actually required. The federation has also accused gas industries of continuing to sell new cylinders for between Rs 2,500 and Rs 2,700.

President Aryal said that although Nepal Oil Corporation and the government had decided long ago to stop the sale of new cylinders, the decision had not been effectively implemented. The federation said consumers are facing difficulties in obtaining gas because unnecessary empty cylinders in the market have not been properly collected and managed, while additional cylinders continue to be introduced into the market.

The federation has also objected to plans announced by gas industries to sell cylinders with capacities of 5 kg, 19 kg, 50 kg and 450 kg.

The federation stated, “Instead of refunding deposits for unnecessary cylinders already in the market, plans to sell 5-kg, 19-kg and 450-kg cylinders in the coming years in a manner that would place an additional financial burden on ordinary consumers are not acceptable to a civilized society.”

President Aryal stressed the need to identify the actual causes of the problem and manage gas supplies through consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

“The concerned authorities must take immediate steps to ensure a smooth supply of cooking gas and proper management of 14.2-kg cylinders,” the statement said.