Timely Action

THE authorities have done a commendable job by taking action against 17 traders who created artificial scarcity in the market by illegally hoarding petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosen and L. P. gas. The Bureau of Standard and Metrology, Nepal Oil Corporation and the Consumers' Forum under the convenorship of the Department of Commerce had found the malpractice when they monitored the market in Kathmandu Valley. Following the rumour that the prices of these commodities would go up, the dealers and retailers in the Valley concealed and refused to provide the items to the customers. They are also reported to have tampered the seal of the Office of the Standard and Metrology. Earlier, the Nepal Oil Corporation authorities had said that they were selling the POL products at a huge annual loss due to subsidies on kerosene and diesel. This appears to have triggered the rumour about the price hike.

Creating artificial shortage in the market has always been the practice whenever the traders sense that market prices are likely to rise. Hoarding such essential consumer supplies until the price hike is declared, they dream of becoming millionares overnight at the cost of the consumers who suffer due to the dearth. Even before the actual price hike, the traders secretly sell their goods at higher prices. Had the concerned authorities in the past cracked down on such anti-social elements, the trend would not have developed to the extent we are facing today. Despite the hue and cry from all sides, the authorities seemed to have closed their eyes towards such wrong practices that have been causing trouble to the common citizens. The fault, however, is not only that of the government bodies that monitor and regulate smooth supplies of such essential commodities. The Nepalese consumers are less likely to react to such unlawful practices as they do not appear to realise their rights. Now that the authorities have started taking action against the culprits, the consumers too should be aware of their rights to smooth supply of goods, that too at the right prices.

Nepali-paper's Plight

THE indigenous "Nepali paper" industries of Charikot district are, as per a news item carried by this daily the other day, facing a crisis due to, among others, the lack of raw materials to make the paper as well as marketing outlets for this product. The Nepali paper, though crude in made, has been around for centuries. The main raw material used to make this paper is derived from the "Lokta" plant that grows profusely throughout the temperate zone of the country. The traditional Nepali paper-makers first boil the "Lokta" plants' barks collected by the harvesters from the forests in crude caustic soda solution derived from the ashes of the firewood. Then, the boiled barks are beaten into a pulp to be spread on silk screens and dried in the sun. The end product is the ubiquitous Nepali paper. Since centuries, this same product has been used extensively in Nepal because of its long-lasting quality. In fact, until a few years ago, it was mandatory for all government offices to document all official works on Nepali paper. The very fact that such a diktat concerning official documentation is no more in vogue does not mean that Nepali paper has gone out of circulation. Rather, it is an eloquent testimony to the fact that this same lowly Nepali product has, over the years, found a new use and market.

Of late, Nepali paper is being extensively used in producing various handicraft items like, among others, greeting cards, letter pads, calendars, paper-dolls and even shopping bags. All these are in great demand among the lovers of eco-friendly products throughout the world. However, this same demand for handicraft items made from Nepali paper throughout the world could be the main reason as to why traditional Nepali paper-makers are facing the problem of supply of the "Lokta" plants' barks. As all know, "Lokta" plants need to reach a certain age before their barks could be harvested. Furthermore, these plants are slow growers. On the other hand, the voracious demand for Nepali paper-made handicraft items could be prompting the "Lokta" bark harvesters to harvest the barks indiscriminately, thereby decimating the "Lokta" plants in their habitats. Hence, to ensure constant supplies of "Lokta" plants' barks to the traditional Nepali paper-makers, the concerned authorities need to strictly enforce the existing rules concerning the harvesting of "Lokta" barks not only in Charikot district but elsewhere also.