The National Human Rights Commission has drawn attention to various published and broadcast news reports indicating that, due to the situation emerging in the Middle East and the subsequent tensions, there has been a shortage of LPG gas in the Kathmandu Valley for some time, creating concern and fear among consumers.
In this context, the Commission, through a press release dated March 13, stated that it has monitored and observed the Nepal Oil Corporation, the Department of Commerce, Nepal Food Corporation Limited, as well as depots involved in gas sales and distribution.
The monitoring and observation revealed that Nepal primarily relies on imports for petroleum products supply, and the raw materials required for this have been supplied regularly as before, the Commission reported.
Although there was some shortage in supply due to the transportation management of certain gas companies, the press and other media propagated the message that there was an overall problem in gas supply management. This led consumers to store more than necessary, and information was received indicating that some businesses were creating artificial shortages, the press release stated.
Based on these findings, the Commission noted that the situation caused difficulties in the exercise of consumer rights guaranteed under Article 44 of the Constitution of Nepal, the Consumer Protection Act, 2017, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nepal is a party.
Therefore, the Commission, through Assistant Spokesperson and Undersecretary Shambhu Kafle, instructed the Government of Nepal to adopt all necessary measures to facilitate petroleum product distribution, bring those creating artificial shortages within the legal framework, regulate the tendency of unnecessary hoarding, and immediately arrange the supply of essential goods to protect consumer rights.