It has also summoned Shiva Prasad Ghimire, proprietor of NPTL based in Sunsari and Sugam Gas Company in Dhading, to report to the DAO within three days. [break]
The local administration issued the summon letter as Ghimire did not come into contact with the administration even after the raid carried out on Thursday.
“If he does not cooperate, he will face stern action,” said Sashibhusan Yadav, Director at Bureau of Standards (BoS), Biratnagar.
Yadav told Republica that the local administration has shut down NPTL till further notice on the charges of hoarding and tampering LPG cylinders of others gas companies and refitting on them neck and foot ring of SGC.
Refitting of foot and neck ring, by cutting off original ones, deteriorates pressure bearing capacity of cylinders, raising risks of accident. Besides, if the new rings weigh heavier than the original ones, the company can get away with refilling lesser gas than the stipulated 14.2 kgs.
The DAO team on Friday completed the detailed inspection of the confiscated cylinders. “We now know the exact number of cylinders confiscated. It stands at 15, 334,” said Yadav.
The local administration has also charged Ghimire - owner of two petrol pumps in Sunsari and investor in more than a dozen petrol pumps nationwide - of trying to hamper the business of other gas bottling industries.
Consumer Protection Act, and Quality and Standard Act too restrict such activities, provisioning stringent actions against enterprises and people involved in such action.
Sources revealed that the local administration was closely watching other business ventures of Ghimire, including Makalu Television.
“We will not let NPTL to operate until the truth about the whole scam is uncovered,” said Yadav.
The raid, conducted jointly by the DAO, BoS, Nepal Consumers´ Forum, Department of Cottage and Small Industry and LPG Gas Dealers Association, had found NPTL of readying 2,000 cylinders of other companies for supply under the name of SGC.
Chief District Officer of Sunsari said that the DAO is presently mulling to lodge a case against Ghimire.
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