Consumer right associations have jointly asked the government to roll back its decision to hike milk and fuel price.
Opposed the price hike, they have also warned of a strong protest, if the government won’t withdraw its move.
They have also boycotted the programme organised on the occasion of 29th World Consumer Rights Day today.
The government had on Tuesday increased price of milk and yesterday jacked up fuel price.
The consumer right associations like Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Right, Consumer Forum Nepal, National Consumer Forum, Sewa Nepal, Madhes Consumer Forum and Go-GO Nepal also organised a sit-in protest in front of the Department of Commerce and Supply Management today morning against the price hike.
Claiming that the price hike is not transparent, unscientific and untimely, they said that Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is on a regular loss due to its mismanagement and leakages, apart from red tape.
Acting president of Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Right Ramesh Paudyal, on the occasion, said that they will continue to pressurise the government to withdraw its decision.
Likewise, president of National Consumer Forum Prem Lal Maharjan said that the increment in price of milk and petro-products will hit consumers hard as it will push inflation to double digits. “The government is projecting inflation at 8.5 per cent but the fuel and milk price hike will also hike price of essentials,” he said, adding that they are going to submit a joint memorandum to government to rollback the decision.
Meanwhile, the government has urged consumers to be alert against market anomalies.
“Chances of market distortion is high and consumers need to be alert,” secretary at the Home Ministry Janardan Nepal said.