Overpricing, black market rampant in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Prices of essential commodities in Nepal have skyrocketed due to hoarding and black marketing by traders, forcing people to pay double even for baby food, according to a report today.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has killed over 6,300 people and left around 14,000 injured, the over pricing and black market go almost unchecked.

Samjhana Silwal, a housewife from Koteshwor in Kathmandu, was angry as she had to shell out 70 Nepalese Rupee to buy a 500 ml packet of milk which otherwise costs Rs 35.

"As the Dairy Development Corporation has not been supplying enough milk, I bought branded milk by paying exorbitant price," she said.

The wholesale price of cauliflower doubled to Rs 60 per kg from its earlier price of Rs 30. Tomato has soared to Rs 60 per kg from Rs 40 while the price of radish tripled to Rs 30 from Rs 10 per kg, ekantipur reported today.

Attempting to justify the soaring prices, the wholesalers and vegetable vendors hold shortage of manpower and expensive transport fare responsible behind the soaring prices.

Sumit Adhikari, a wholesaler at the Kalimati vegetable market, said they are now compelled to pay Rs 10,000 for every shipment of vegetables transported. Before the earthquake they used to pay Rs 5,000 for the same service.

Dinesh Chand, another wholesaler of potato, complained of being required to pay as high as Rs 150 to a porter just to carry a sack of potatoes, something that used to cost Rs 50 earlier.

Besides, taxi drivers are also accused of overcharging their customers.

Meanwhile, Consumer Right Activists said that people are having a difficult time due to the short supply of essential commodities.

"Some traders have started hoarding essential items and could also be engaged in black marketing while few transporters are reportedly charging high fares from the travellers to take undue advantage of the situation," said Prem Lal Maharjan, president of National Consumers Forum.