20 August, Kathmandu. Dissatisfaction has emerged within the ruling party (RSP) regarding the increase in the price of cooking gas. Dissatisfied MPs have prepared to protest in the Parliament regarding this issue.
The meeting of the House of Representatives is being held on August 24. In the said meeting, issues will be raised in order to create pressure on the relevant agencies, said Badan Bhandari, a member of parliament from the RSVP.
The atmosphere seems calm only because there is no parliament now. These matters will be taken up in the House after the 24th," said Bhandari, "only then will the departmental minister and the executive director of the corporation feel the real pressure."
Gas manufacturers have increased the price of gas by 105 rupees 38 paise per cylinder after the roadways including Krishnabhir of Prithvi Highway were blocked due to the landslide that occurred in Bhotekoshi of Rasuwa on 10th August. After this price increase, the price of LP gas for cooking in Kathmandu valley has reached 2 thousand 165 rupees 38 paise. Earlier it was Rs 2,600 per cylinder.
The argument of the industrialists is that the price has been increased with the increase in the cost of transportation.
They said that due to the damage of the main road, gas has to be transported to Kathmandu through difficult hilly and alternative routes from Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, etc.
Nepal Oil Corporation has also given permission for the decision to increase the price. On the one hand, there is a shortage of gas and on the other, there is a criticism that the price has been increased.
In response, Nagendra Sah, executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation, has claimed that gas is still cheaper compared to other consumer goods.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by Nepal Economic Journalists Association (SEJAN) on Saturday, he compared the price of meat with the impact of the floods on the supply and value chain and challenges.
"Today, a kilo of meat costs 17 to 1800 rupees in the market, which can be consumed in a week or a day," Sah said, comparing the prices, "but one cylinder of gas, which costs around 2100 rupees, can last a family for two months." Shall we seriously think about this matter or not?'
This response of the government officials has also increased the dissatisfaction within the RSVP.
Bhandari, a member of Parliament of the RSVP, did not only express his displeasure with the increase in gas prices in the same program. He also said that he will protest in the upcoming parliament meeting.
According to him, there is a situation of rampant price increase and supply management in the market. He said that due to the absence of the Parliament meeting, the market situation and the issues of public concern have been overshadowed.
