The Essential Services Act (ESA) has existed in the country for the past half century, yet often when the need for its enforcement has arisen, government has tended to lack the will. On the few occasions it has been applied, it has not been when, for instance, transporters and medical practitioners have brought the health services and public transport to a standstill, but when hapless people like hotel and restaurant workers have struck. Now that the government has armed itself, through an ordinance on Sunday, with more powers, for instance, to intervene in private enterprises, too, in order to guarantee the supply of essential services, it is expected to demonstrate that it is there to deliver. Take the two-week-long agitation in some of the Tarai districts by the combine of three small Tarai-based political parties. They halted the movement of tankers bound for the capital city, and the government appeared confused about how to act during the first few days.

But when the oil crunch started getting unbearable leading to growing public protests, it woke up to the necessity of doing something concrete, and decided to bring the tankers in under police escort, and through a couple of Tarai districts, under curfew. This decision was taken well by the public. In the last few days, the situation is reported to have eased a bit because of fresh supplies. But the distribution system in the Kathmandu Valley leaves a lot to be desired. Still, long lines are common at the petrol pumps and kerosene distribution outlets. People have lined up for hours, which have even gone into double-digits, to get just one or two litres of kerosene or for petrol. Even then, many have returned disappointed. The same applies to diesel and cooking gas. Such a long and regular wait means lost opportunities, as students have had to forgo their classes, housewives, their domestic chores, etc. The full economic and other effects of this crisis can only be imagined.

When it comes to the question of distribution, the supplies minister and the Nepal Oil Corporation should take responsibility, just as providing adequate security for the movement of tankers falls under the jurisdiction of the ministers and officials concerned. But, particularly at a time of such a deep and widespread crisis of a vital and strategic commodity, the Prime Minister is expected to take special personal interest, and that should be reflected in the result. There is an urgent need to look into wide allegations of unsatisfactory distribution and of diversion of a part of the stock into improper distribution channels. A brisk black market is reported to have proliferated for oil, which fetches a much higher price there than at the official rate. But an even greater necessity exists of increasing the supply and making it regular by implementing all the laws available with rigour. If the government does not enforce the ESA strictly now, then what is the use of it at all? Besides, restoring regular supply of essential goods in adequate quantities will take considerable steam out of the Tarai agitation, as the agitators appear to intend to bring the government to its knees by choking off the supply.