KATHMANDU, Feb 12: A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) against the excessive price hike in cement. Madhesh Province MP from the CPN (Maoist Center), Rahbar Ansari, filed the writ petition in the SC on Tuesday.
The petition is filed based on Article 46 and 133 (2) (3) of the Constitution of Nepal, seeking to issue a mandamus along with other necessary orders, making the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection, and the Nepal Cement Manufacturers' Association (NCMA) as defendants.
The petition claims that on October 1, OPC cement was sold at Rs 472 per bag including tax, but by December 2, the industry had increased the price to Rs 630 per bag.
Maruti Cement, United Cement and Jagadamba Cement found selling...
It is claimed that industrialists have engaged in black marketing by exorbitantly increasing prices in collusion with the government, citing a shortage of raw materials. “Cement is an essential commodity used in all types of construction work daily. The recent artificial shortage, black market activities and the unchecked syndicate behaviour of industries are impacting all work and projects,” the writ states.
Since the issue raised in the petition is of public interest, it has demanded that until the issue is resolved, cement should be made available at the previous fair price.
In this case, Rahbar Ansari's legal advisor, Advocate Anupam Bhattarai, has said that they presented evidence strongly in court. Although they intended to file the writ on January 27, the SC had initially rejected it.
However, the SC registered the writ on Tuesday, and the hearing for this writ is scheduled for today itself.
