KATHMANDU, August 17: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) finally walked the talk when it comes to substituting the use of LPG with electric stove (popularly known as induction stove).
Unveiling the budget for the ongoing fiscal year 2022/23 on May 29 this year, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma mentioned that he would make an arrangement to substitute all gas cylinders with electric stoves in Singha Durbar by mid-August this year. He also announced plans to make all public offices and residences inside the Metropolitan cities and Sub-Metropolitan cities free of gas cylinders in a gradual manner.
Minister Sharma had pledged to make the use of electric stoves across the country in a gradual manner within the forthcoming three months from the day of announcement.
Expiry date of LPG cylinders lacks monitoring
Minister Sharma on Wednesday initiated the usage of electric stove in the canteen of the MoF and urged all the ministries and public offices to follow suit. He instructed all the subordinate bodies to substitute LPG cylinders with the electric stoves at the earliest, according to the Minister's Public Relations Advisor Mana Rishi Dhital.
A huge chunk of Nepal's foreign currency reserve is being drained out while importing the LPG gas cylinders for household and industrial use.
The incumbent government addressed the issue at the policy level and adopted the policy to encourage usage of electricity and electric vehicles, and stoves as much as possible. To encourage usage of electric stove, the government has considered some concession in the tariff of electricity to those using electric stove.
The canteens in Singha Durbar were not able to substitute LPG gas cylinders with the electric stove since mid-July mainly due to interrupted supply of electricity. Minister Sharma instructed to implement the provision in the budget to increase domestic consumption of electricity.
(RSS)
