The workers organized the program in front of Kavre District Administration Office (DAO), demanding that the government revoke actions taken against the company.
Bhatta had decided to suspend bottling operation of Gaurishanakar Gas -- the bottler of Himal Gas -- and instructed the DAO to file a case against it after it was found selling the popular cooking fuel at higher price. [break]
The bottler´s foul play had come to light when Bhatta conducted a surprise inspection at the company´s bottling plant. The company was also found selling gas from factory itself by creating fake customers register, without supplying gas to the dealers designated as its official retail outlets.
Despite the discovery of foul play by the company, its workers on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the DAO seeking release of its manager Dekraj Bhattarai, who have been taken into custody.
“The minister´s action is nothing but a popularity stunt,” said Lekhnath Bajagain, president of Gaurishankar Gas Workers Union. He blamed the government of not understanding the problem of the company, which needs to deal with the consumers´ wrath.
“If he (Minister Bhatta) has guts, he should take action against the company promoter,” said Bajagain.
Bajagain even said that the minister himself had issued orders to the company to provide liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to 140 customers who approached him for the supply.
“When we obeyed his orders, he said we were engaged in black marketing the product. We condemn such duplicity from the minister,” said Bajagain.
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