Consumer Rights Advocate Criticizes Price Hikes and Artificial Shortages Amidst Festivals
Summary
Consumer rights advocate Bishnu Prasad Timilsina says artificial shortages, black marketing, and weak regulation are driving sharp price hikes in essential goods and cooking gas during Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath. He argues the government and traders are colluding, leaving consumers to face soaring costs and long LPG queues.
Key Points
- Bishnu Prasad Timilsina says the recent surge in prices of rice, oil, sugar, onions, and meat is being driven by weak government regulation and market manipulation.
- He calls the cooking gas shortage artificial and accuses businessmen of creating syndicates, hoarding cylinders, and profiting from consumer distress.
- Timilsina says the government should use electricity and induction stoves more aggressively and step in to distribute gas if traders fail to supply it.
- He criticizes subsidized price shops and consumer protection enforcement as ineffective and corrupt.
