Government to probe black market in petroleum products

KATHMANDU, Nov 20: The government has formed a five-member committee to probe black-marketing of petroleum products and other essential goods in the market.

Organizing a press meet on Thursday, Minister for Commerce and Supplies Ganesh Man Pun said the team led by Joint Secretary Jib Raj Koirala will probe anomalies regarding supply and black-marketing of petroleum products and other essential commodities.

"In the name of blockade and supply constraints, black-marketing of essential goods is thriving," Pun said, adding, "The committee has been asked to prepare preliminary report within 2/3 days. It will also have the authority to take needful action against the wrong-doers."

Responding to a question about irregularities in Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), Pun said the committee has been asked not to spare any institution. He also said regular market monitoring mechanism of Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) has also been strengthened.

Meanwhile, MoCS has set up a telephone hotline (01-4200052) to receive feedbacks and complaints from general public.

Similarly, a separate committee led by a joint secretary has been formed to collect details of essential commodities, including petroleum products, entering Kathmandu Valley, and disseminate information to general public. "The committee will also devise effective mechanism to distribute essential commodities to general public," added Pun. "The ministry is committed to distribute essential goods to public in a fair manner."

However, experts have said distribution mechanism will not work effectively as bureaucrats are involved in market anomalies. "Nothing can control market anomalies at present," former finance secretary Rameshore Khanal said. "First, the bureaucrats should be honest."

Stating that senior bureaucrats including police personnel are promoting black-marketing of fuel and essential commodities, Khanal said, "Prime Minister himself and the Ministry of Home Affairs should first take action against bureaucrats that are involved in black-marketing. Once this is done, black-marketing will be controlled automatically."

NEPALI DELEGATION TO LEAVE FOR CHINA TODAY

Minister Pun also said a seven-member team led by Joint Secretary Shambhu Ghimire will leave for China on Friday to sign commercial agreement with Petro China Company Limited (PCCL).

The team comprises of technical experts from NOC as well as officials from MoCS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM). "We are very close to signing commercial agreement with Petro China," Pun said, adding, "We are hopeful of signing the agreement this time."

Informing that NOC is also making necessary preparation to import fuel from Bangladesh as well, Pun said: "Diversifying petroleum import is our first priority at present. We are preparing short-term and long-term plan to diversify fuel imports."

Similarly, Commerce Secretary Naindra Prasad Upadhaya said that country has sufficient essential commodities, except edible oil and petroleum products, in stock. "Along with supply, skyrocketing price of daily commodities have become our major concern," Upadhyaya said, adding, "The committee will probe arbitrary rise in price of essential commodities and take needful action against the wrong-doers."