Panic buying as rumors spread of gas price hike
By Leeann Li |
March 28, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTHORITIES have denied rumors of an impending price rise of natural gas after panic buying in several provinces.
"It is not true," said an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
Natural gas pricing is likely to be taken up by the energy sector, but CCTV reported yesterday that authorities will not raise the price without taking the public into confidence.
It also claimed that people's living conditions will be taken into consideration before any hike in prices.
Rumors that natural gas price will rise by almost 1 yuan (16 US cents) to 3 to 3.5 yuan per cubic meters in April spread like wildfire in the provinces of Shandong, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Liaoning, Hebei and Jiangxi, domestic media reported.
Hundreds of residents stood in long queues outside gas outlets in Liaocheng City in Shandong on Tuesday, Qilu Evening News reported yesterday. In chaotic scenes, the newspaper claimed that the impatient crowd broke down the gates and stormed inside.
In Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, a woman in her 60s and with a weak heart, waited outside a crowded outlet, the Chinese Business View reported. "I have waited for several hours. I must buy natural gas today," she said.
Gas operators have also pointed out to the dangers of stacking up huge quantities of gas after people went on a buying spree as the rumors of price rise caught on.
"It is not true," said an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
Natural gas pricing is likely to be taken up by the energy sector, but CCTV reported yesterday that authorities will not raise the price without taking the public into confidence.
It also claimed that people's living conditions will be taken into consideration before any hike in prices.
Rumors that natural gas price will rise by almost 1 yuan (16 US cents) to 3 to 3.5 yuan per cubic meters in April spread like wildfire in the provinces of Shandong, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Liaoning, Hebei and Jiangxi, domestic media reported.
Hundreds of residents stood in long queues outside gas outlets in Liaocheng City in Shandong on Tuesday, Qilu Evening News reported yesterday. In chaotic scenes, the newspaper claimed that the impatient crowd broke down the gates and stormed inside.
In Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, a woman in her 60s and with a weak heart, waited outside a crowded outlet, the Chinese Business View reported. "I have waited for several hours. I must buy natural gas today," she said.
Gas operators have also pointed out to the dangers of stacking up huge quantities of gas after people went on a buying spree as the rumors of price rise caught on.
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