Kathmandu, November 20

Experts and former administrators have expressed their concern over the booming black-marketing of fuel in the country ever since India imposed a trade embargo on Nepal some two months ago.

They have also drawn attention of the government towards curbing the aberration that has surfaced in the trade of fuel following the embargo which has disrupted the smooth supply of petroleum products and provided a breeding ground for the illegal import of the same.

It is learnt that peddlers have been dealing in the illegally imported fuel in various places in the Capital, including Kalanki, New Bus Park, Koteshwor, Balkhu and Satdobato areas for Rs 200 to Rs 400 per litre.

Most of the vehicles in Bagmati, Gandaki and Dhaulagiri zones are believed to be operating on the fuel illegally imported from Thori in Chitwan.

The black-marketing of fuel is believed to have flourished after Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the state-owned petroleum monopoly, issued a notice on October 19, which permitted anyone to import fuel.

Peddlers are learnt to be importing fuel from the bordering Indian towns in buses, tankers and motorcycles on the basis of the NOC permit letter. Add to that, they have been selling it for an arbitrary price.

Same goes with the LPG gas cylinders. The market is witnessing an acute shortage but one can get it for Rs 6,000 per cylinder in the black market at various places across the city.

Former administrators and experts bemoan the apathy of the Department of Commerce and Supply Management, the government body responsible for regulating small business enterprises.

Former chief secretary Leelamani Paudyal commented, “I fear that the country’s weak economy would be in the clutch of the mafia and smugglers.”

Paudyal shared that he met Minister for Commerce and Supplies Ganesh Man Pun and pressed for market monitoring and implementing a transparent distribution system to combat black-marketing to which Minister Pun pledged that none would be spared if found involved in irregularities.

Minister Pun informed Paudyal that the ministry was taking stock of the situation through various stakeholders and former administrators.

The former chief secretary claimed that the peddlers were selling a new LPG cylinder for Rs 6,000 and petrol for Rs 200 to Rs 400.

Similarly, Consumer Forum General Secretary Jyoti Baniya expressed his grief over the booming black-marketing of fuel. “It is a matter of sorrow that news of NOC staffers selling petrol to dealers charging Rs 10 more per litre has been exposed.”

He demanded stern action against the peddlers who are on prowl at a time when the supply of such essential products has gone down significantly following the trade embargo.

NOC’s Acting Deputy Managing Director Sushil Bhattarai refuted the accusation of irregularities in its business. Bhattarai assured that those dealers involved in black-marketing would be brought to book in case of irregularities.

He also appealed to the consumers to tip off the NOC Information Centre if they find any incident of black-marketing.

The government on Thursday formed a committee to probe black-marketing of petroleum products and other essential goods in the market.