Use of induction urged after shortage of gas

Kathmandu. As there is a shortage of LP gas in the market, the use of electric stoves (induction) has increased as an alternative. Stakeholders have also urged consumers to use induction.

Gas supplies have been affected by tensions in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) have urged the consumers to do so. Netra Prasad Subedi, spokesperson of the ministry, said that the use of electricity could be increased to reduce the consumption of gas.

He said that induction and rice dogs can be used as an alternative as they are also environment-friendly and cheaper than gas.

Consumers have not been able to get cooking gas easily as there is no import in the market. The NOC has started selling half-weight gas cylinders from Friday to reduce the shortage of cooking gas in the market. The corporation has urged the consumers to increase the consumption of electricity instead of gas, make arrangements for ride-sharing and not to run generators for electricity. The Salt Trading Corporation has also urged the general public to use electric stove as an alternative to gas.

Many fear that the tension in the Middle East will cause problems in gas supplies. Since Nepal supplies from India, the general public is afraid that the problems of the Middle East will affect Nepal as well.

There are many different brands of electric stoves available in the market. It is cheaper than gas and is faster to cook. According to entrepreneurs, electric stoves ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 of high quality are available in the market.

According to the Salt Trading Corporation, the price of a stove without a set is four thousand to five thousand rupees, while a stove with a set can be purchased for seven thousand to nine thousand five hundred rupees.

Dinesh Agrawal, a businessman from Mahabouddha in the capital, said that the sale of induction stoves has increased due to the shortage of cooking gas. He said that a stove worth more than three thousand rupees can be obtained depending on the quality.

NOC Spokesperson Manoj Thakur said that there is some difficulty in the supply of cooking gas in the market as many consumers have started filling up all the empty cylinders at home. He urged the consumers to use electric stove as they have to make security arrangements as they have to depend entirely on import.

The government has decided to provide free electricity to the poor people who consume up to 20 units of electricity per month. Customers who consume only 20 units in a month will have to pay a demand fee of Rs 30.

The NOC has been selling and distributing various brands of LPG from the NOC’s office premises in Teku so as to prevent consumers from facing problems due to the rumors of gas shortage.

According to the NOC, there are around 14 million LPG cylinders in the market. Every day, 30 lakh cylinders are consumed. Consumption of cooking gas has increased not only in urban areas but also in rural areas in recent times.