Inspection carried out by Commerce Office Nepalgunj three weeks ago had found that Bheri Gas and Manakamana Gas were refilling cylinders without conducting necessary hydraulic tests.[break]
Existing rules make hydraulic test of cylinders mandatory, as the test determines the strength and pressure-bearing capacity of the cylinders. Cylinders that fail such tests are regarded unfit for refilling and circulation.
The team led by acting chief of the office Devi Prasad Subedi had seized 25 untested cylinders of Bheri Gas and Manakamana Gas from the market. Sixteen of the cylinders belonged to Bheri Gas.
“During our inspection, we had found that the two companies were refilling cylinders without conducting necessary tests,” Subedi said, adding that promoters of those companies had a few months ago agreed to install hydraulic test machines and circulate the cylinders only after conducting the test.
“Unfortunately, the companies are not following rules put in place to protect consumers´ interests,” said Subedi.
The team had also found that most of the cylinders circulated by the two companies were as much as 10 years old and were risky for use. Given the situation, the office had forwarded the case to the Banke DAO for further action.
However, Assistant Chief Direct Officer Hari Pyakurel said the DAO decided to let the promoters walk away scot-free after they committed to improve their practices.
“We could not take action because the case was not filed at the court. Hence, we decided to grant amnesty for once. If they did not install necessary equipment and comply with the safety rules again, we will take stringent action,” he stated.
Local consumers´ rights organizations have flayed the decision. They argued that it has set a bad precedent, something which encourages people to play with the lives of general consumers.
“Safety is one of the basic rights of consumers. Flouting such rule is an intolerable act, whether that has been done once or repeatedly,” said Dr Narayan Prasad Subedi, president of Consumers´ Forum Nepalgunj. He urged the DAO to revoke the decision and take action against the erring companies.
In the past, the local administration, commerce office and office of standard and metrology had seized cylinders and suspended the companies from doing businesses for at least a week for similar wrongdoing.
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