Plainclothes Police Deployed at LPG Depots in Kathmandu Valley Amid Complaints of Artificial Shortages

Dragon Media Correspondent

The government has deployed plainclothes police officers at LPG depots and sales outlets across Kathmandu Valley following growing complaints of artificial shortages, overcharging and black market sales of cooking gas.

Monitoring began on Sunday morning under coordination between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

According to government authorities, LPG imports from India have remained regular, but the Industry Ministry had received complaints that some sellers were creating an impression of shortages, withholding cylinders and charging more than the prescribed price.

Following a request from Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Yadav, Home Minister Sudan Gurung instructed security agencies to deploy plainclothes personnel to strengthen monitoring of possible artificial shortages and black market activity.

Police said legal action would be taken under existing laws against anyone found concealing LPG cylinders, charging above the official price or engaging in illegal resale.

For now, the government has prioritized LPG depots and sales centers in Kathmandu Valley. The Home Ministry said the monitoring operation could be expanded to sales outlets in other districts if necessary.

The move comes as complaints of LPG shortages have increased in Kathmandu Valley and several other parts of the country in recent days, prompting the government to intensify scrutiny not only of imports and distribution but also of sales practices at the retail level.