Soaring inflation and economic distress shadow Dashain festivities

KATHMANDU: The festival of Bada Dashain has arrived at the doorstep. The festival of eating well, wearing good clothes, and making merry has fallen under the grip of inflation this year. The floods in Bhote Koshi of Rasuwa and Budhi Gandaki, natural disasters that occurred in various districts, and the disruptions in the road network connecting the capital Kathmandu have also affected the supply of goods in the market.

Unlike previous years, there is no crowd in the market this year. Even in the grocery and garment shops, where business should be bustling during Dashain, trade is low. It would not be wrong to say that Dashain this year is surrounded by an economic crisis as the prices of most consumable goods in the market have increased. An additional financial burden has fallen on consumers as the prices of pulses, rice, cooking oil, garments, goat meat, and Chyangra (mountain goat), which are consumed more during festivals, have increased.

The situation where incomes do not increase while the prices of daily consumable goods keep rising has made it difficult even for low and middle-income families to celebrate festivals. Businessmen have been citing import costs, transportation expenses, supply disruptions, and rising price demand as reasons for inflation. The argument is also made that supply became unmanaged when roads and transport were affected due to natural disasters. However, effective monitoring is necessary on the subject of whether prices have been increased improperly showing such reasons.

Fair price shops are not enough

Fair price shops operated by the government are expected to provide some relief to consumers. However, operating fair price shops in some places cannot be considered as fulfilling the responsibility of controlling inflation in the market. When the reach of such shops is limited, all consumers cannot benefit equally.

Market monitoring should also not be limited to formalities performed on the eve of Dashain. Businessmen who do not keep price lists, do not provide bills, create artificial shortages, and exact improper prices must be punished according to prevailing law. Irregularities found during monitoring, actions taken, and the subsequent changes in market prices must also be made public.

The success of monitoring and action should not be measured on the basis of how many traders were fined, but on the basis of how much relief consumers received. Ensuring the smooth supply of goods, reasonable prices, and quality in the market must be the main objective of regulation.

Being unable to control market prices on the eve of Dashain is not just a subject related to the economic problems of consumers, but also a question on the regulatory role of the state. Even in conditions where problems arose in transport due to floods, landslides, and natural calamities, if the prices of goods and services have been increased improperly, the government must take effective steps to stop it.

Although consumerist organizations raise their voices, the activeness of other stakeholder parties against improper trading activities in the market does not appear sufficient. The tendency of identifying problems seen in the market, raising voices for solutions, and following them up continuously is necessary.

Consumer rights: From information to compensation

The rights that consumers acquire while purchasing goods and services are called consumer rights. Under this, the right to choice, the right to a hearing on matters affecting oneself, the right to obtain correct information, the right to receive compensation, the right to consumer education, the right to live in a clean environment, and the right to access basic goods and services fall.

Although legal arrangements regarding consumer rights exist in Nepal, both consumer awareness and activeness are necessary. While purchasing goods or services, consumers must pay attention to price, quality, quantity, production date, consumption date, and details mentioned on the label. One must also be aware of the differences between claims made in advertisements and actual goods or services.

Consumers expect that the goods they purchase are safe and of high quality. Therefore, producers, distributors, and service providers must make goods and services available in a manner that does not harm consumers. Providing correct information regarding the weight, quality, design, materials used, and consumption of goods is the responsibility of businessmen.