Such is the extent of black market that essential commodities like petroleum products, LP gas and edible oil, among others, are being sold at inflated rates under the noses of law enforcement agencies. Even government agencies like Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and big corporate houses like KL Dugar have been involved in the illegal act.However, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), which are responsible to control the anomaly, are simply passing the buck on each other, saying that controlling black market at local level doesn't fall under their jurisdiction. While MoCS says it can only look after the commerce and supplies situation in the market, officials of MoCS say that can only assist monitoring activities of MoCS through respective District Administration Offices (DAOs).
"We have been actively involved to control black market of essential commodities by mobilizing inspection teams across the nation," Shambhu Ghimire, spokesperson of MoCS, told Republica, adding, "It is the duty of MoHA to control black market at local level."
He also said MoCS has employed five monitoring teams to control market anomalies at local level even if it does not fall under the ministry's jurisdiction. "We have also formed a central monitoring team led by joint secretary Jib Raj Koirala," added Ghimire.
However, fact is works of market monitoring teams deployed by MoCS have not proved effective to eradicate the black market. The ministry hasn't even forwarded the decision of Nepal Oil Corporation's board to take action against NOC Managing Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka to the cabinet.
The Koriala-led central monitoring committee, which was formed on November 20 to look into involvement of state agencies in market anomalies, has not submitted its progress report even though Minister for Commerce Ganesh Man Pun had said the committee would give a preliminary report within a week.
Home ministry officials say issues related to black market and market monitor have to be handled by MoCS in a broader manner. "We mobilize inspection teams through local administration as per the requirement of market monitoring mechanism of MoCS," Laxmi Dhakal, home ministry spokesperson, said. "District Administration Offices have been doing their best to control ongoing black market of essential goods," he maintained.
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