Black marketeering rife amid fuel crisis in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 21 – Government apathy to the need to adjust prices has triggered a black market in petrol, the most scarce product these days, forcing consumers to pay as much Rs 150 per liter.
Mainly garage operators in the urban centers such as Jamal, Maitidevi and Koteshwor have converted themselves into “petrol storages” and a segment of consumers, who have information about such suppliers, could be seen queuing at their premises.

These unscrupulous suppliers are charging taxi drivers Rs 100 per liter and bike riders Rs 150.

“Taxi drivers are working class. We have to be reasonable with them,” said a woman who was marshalling the helps at a garage at Jyatha, instructing them how much to supply whom and at what rate.

When the Post acting incognito sought to buy some fuel Wednesday, she offered to supply it at Rs 150 a liter. Before the deal was sealed, another buyer had reached the site and offered to pay more.

He was from a nearby travel agency. “I cannot manage time to queue for hours and without a bike it is difficult to move around,” he told the Post.

eKantipur.com