Kathmandu, September 9
Rahbar Ansari, chairperson of the Industry and Commerce, and Labour and Consumer Interest Committee, has expressed serious concern over the situation following India’s ban on sugar exports, rising market prices and consumer interests.
Ansari raised the issue during a meeting of the parliamentary committee.
He said questions had been raised over the sharp rise in sugar prices within a few months, despite assurances that there were sufficient stocks in the market and that prices would not increase after India halted exports.
The committee also questioned how the price of sugar had reached as high as Rs 130 per kilogram.
Ansari said sugar, which was previously expected to cost Rs 85 per kilogram and Rs 96 after adding VAT, is now being sold for between Rs 105 and Rs 130 in the market. He stressed the need to investigate why prices had increased despite adequate stocks.
The committee chairperson attributed the current shortage and price hike partly to the failure to import sugar from other countries promptly.
He also urged the ministry to promptly introduce bills and laws in Parliament to protect consumers and control cartelling and black marketing.
Ansari said market monitoring should be made more practical and rational, while measures should be taken to prevent opacity in the purchase of expensive software. He also called for consideration of practical problems such as increased transportation costs caused by infrastructure damage and fuel supply issues.
