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.
Other Story
|
