21st Anniversary of National Consumer Forum: Discussion on Price Rise, Gas Shortage, and Supply System
The National Consumer Forum organized an interaction program on consumer rights, market inflation, gas shortage, and supply system on its 21st anniversary. Stakeholders discussed controlling price hikes, black marketeering, and artificial shortages as festivals approach.
Kathmandu. National Consumer Forum organized an interaction program on consumer rights, market inflation, gas shortage, and supply system on the occasion of its 21st anniversary.
In the program held on Wednesday at Anamnagar, Kathmandu, discussions are ongoing on the potential increase in demand for daily consumable goods as festivals approach, and the resulting price rise, black marketeering, and artificial shortage control.
In the program, participants are expressing their views on the recent gas shortage in the market, price rise of daily consumables including sugar and rice, and the government's role in market monitoring and black marketeering control.
Prem Lal Maharjan, President of the National Consumer Forum, said that due to the devastating flood in Bhotekoshi, Rasuwa, and its impact, the anniversary was not celebrated grandly this year as in the past.
According to him, the interaction program was organized because it is necessary to discuss among stakeholders the impact of the Bhotekoshi flood, potential inflation in the market as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals approach, easing of supply system, and consumer-related issues.
"Although the anniversary was celebrated differently in the past, this time due to the devastating flood in Bhotekoshi, Rasuwa, and its impact, the anniversary was not celebrated grandly. Since discussing the impact of the Bhotekoshi flood, increased inflation in the market as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals approach, and easing of supply would benefit all consumers, businessmen, and the government, the interaction program was organized on the occasion of the anniversary," said Maharjan.
During festivals, demand for daily consumable goods increases in the market, which may affect prices and lead to black marketeering; this was also discussed in the program. Participants emphasized the need to provide goods and services to consumers easily, make the supply system effective, and control irregularities in the market.
The program was attended by Prakash Singh Karki, Member of the House of Representatives and member of the Industry, Commerce, and Labor and Consumer Committee; Narayan Prasad Dawadi, Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies; Moti Ram Sapkota, Director General of the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection; Sur Krishna Shrestha, Senior Vice President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce.
Similarly, Urmila Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Salt Trading Corporation Limited; Nirmala Suvedi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Food Corporation; Nagendra Prasad Shah, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil Corporation; Diwan Chand, President of Nepal LP Gas Industry Association; Kiran Bajracharya, General Secretary of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association; and Chandra Thapa, President of Gas Dealers' Association, were also present at the program.
The program was attended by journalists, activists, and representatives of various stakeholder organizations, including Ujjwal Jung Shah, Vice President of Kathmandu Industry Association and President of Corporate Khabar.