Looking for more

Barely into its third month, the government is not finding the right chords to strike back at the multifarious problems that are facing it directly on the face. Topping the agenda are the steep hike in the prices of essential commodities, the regular spate of bandhs, lockouts and obstructions, and the fatal spread of diarrhea in the Mid-Western Development Region districts of Jajarkot and Rukum in particular, among others. The Saturday raids on a number of godowns suspected to be used for hoarding food grains and other commodities should be taken in a positive light, though belatedly. It was a joint team of District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, the Metropolitan Police and the Department of Commerce (DoC) that raided and sealed some 13 warehouses of renowned businesspersons who are under the suspicion of creating artificial shortages of foodstuffs like rice and pulses so that the prices could be increased at their will. The unnatural hike in prices, particularly after the budget was announced and the increase in the salary of the civil servants, has been quite pronounced. Even by conservative estimates, the prices have doubled to that of last year, and compared to last month rice, flour and cooking oil is costlier by thirty per cent.

When this scenario is taken into consideration, the action against the hoarders can be justified. To rescue the average consumers from the clutches of the hoarders and profiteers is the prime duty and responsibility of the administration. But, unfortunately, the government has not been able to deal seriously with the unfavourable situation that has created the most miserable life for the people. The artificial shortage and sudden price increases are particularly being witnessed in the Kathmandu valley, though the people in other parts of the country are also undergoing similar strains. In fact, the price rise tends to coincide with the pay hikes of civil servants, but it is not natural. However, the government ought to have been geared to meet the challenges of supply and demand that would come up as per the trend. The government does not seem to have the will power to activate its mechanisms to check profiteering and hoarding, but did so only at the eleventh hour which is very sad.

Now, one series of raids have begun, but the people are skeptic that the move will be given continuity with severe action taken against the defaulters. Will this bring down the commodity prices in the market? Here it may be worthwhile noting that the less than average rainfall this year and the regular strikes have played havoc with the outputs and movement respectively, of food grains and vegetables. This would mean a modest price rise but not the way that it is being observed in the market. It could be because of some nexus that the unscrupulous traders may have struck with the influential. Still the illegal activities must be ended for which the administration must be firm and give the message that relief would be provided to the people, as has been often repeated by the prime minister. The people want concrete action not mere commitments and assurances. More than politics, this is a test of the obligation towards the people.

Protests too many

The strike called by the transporters in the capital hit the commuters hard. People were seen walking in the scorching heat. Those who had long distances to commute to and fro their workplace were particularly inconvenienced and the strike had affected those with business to attend to. Bandhs and other forms of protests usually bring transport to a standstill but during these protests government and private vehicles were seen operating as were some Safa tempos and even taxis. However, it was often found that the taxis were charging extra so most of the ordinary folks could not afford their services. That various bodies opt to call protests when their demands could be met through negotiations is especially disconcerting.

In this case the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs had stopped their services after the torching of a microbus by students. Setting afire of the microbus cannot be condoned but the transport entrepreneurs should have opted to hold talks with the authorities instead of putting their vehicles off the road. Protests should be held in a peaceful manner at the same ensuring that day to day life is not disrupted making life difficult for the people.