Hetauda market monitoring neglected

Hetauda, October 15

The local administration has taken no initiative to monitor the market during the festive season this year in Hetauda.

Earlier, the administration had coordinated with different government offices and consumers’ forum and had launched the monitoring programme. This year, however, the administration has paid no attention to the need to monitor the market.

The administration has yet to prepare a work plan to monitor the price list and quality of goods. It is said that the district administration office, which coordinates market monitoring, has been mum regarding the programme till date.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Thapaliya said his office could not give much attention to monitoring the market due to the ongoing strikes, border blockade and obstruction of petroleum products supply at different customs points. “Market monitoring will be done if it is necessary,” he added.

It is said that the consumers’ forum too did not pay attention to the need to monitor the market after the concerned authority did not prepare a work plan for the same.

Daily essentials such as food items and petroleum products, among other goods, have become scarce due to the prolonged Tarai agitation. Besides, local businessmen have been overcharging consumers due to the scarcity of goods.

Assistant Chief District Officer Chandra Bahadur Karki said the office could not launch the market monitoring programme due to people thronging fuel pumps and service seekers at the office. He said action would be taken against those who take advantage in the name of strike and agitation.

Department of Commerce and Supply Management said it has started micro-level study to bring persons involved in black-marketing of petroleum products and other essentials to book. The department said directives had already been issued to the concerned departments to raid and take action against black-marketers.