The Department of Supplies Management (DoSM) said it had started aggressive market monitoring in the Kathmandu Valley due to the possibility of black markets emerging following supply disruptions caused by floods in several Tarai districts.

As per the department, it has also been conducting market inspection in the flood-affected areas in coordination with the concerned District Administrative Offices (DAOs).

Massive inundation following incessant rain in the last few days has affected 26 districts, mainly in the Tarai region. The floods have so far claimed 70 lives and affected 34,000 households. In addition, landslides in a number of locations on the Tribhuvan Highway have affected vehicular traffic and disrupted the transportation of essentials. 

DoSM Director General Kumar Dahal said the department had increased the frequency of market inspections in the Valley to ensure that there is no short supply due to the current situation. “We have been regularly keeping tabs on the inventory of food stocks with government-owned companies like Nepal Food Corporation and Salt Trading and the private sector,” he said.

Dahal said they had consulted with wholesalers on Sunday. “They have assured us that they have sufficient food items in stock.”

According to the department, it will be distributing packets of rice, pulses, oil and salt in the affected areas from Tuesday. “We have asked the concerned companies to make 2-kg packs of rice and pulses each to supply in the flood-hit areas,” said Dahal.

He added that they had been issuing the products in coordination with the Natural Disaster Relief Committee under the DAOs. Dahal said authorities in Bardia had started supplying edibles to flood-affected people in the district from Monday. 

The DoSM said it started intensifying market inspection in the Valley one and a half weeks ago with an eye on the upcoming festival season.

The department has been conducting market monitoring by dividing the market into six sectors. Meat and grocery shops and slaughter houses are in the first sector. The second sector consists of transportation.

Likewise, the third sector comprises gasoline and construction materials. Dairy products and bottled water fall under the fourth sector. Eateries, sweets and prepared foods are in the fifth sector. Pharmacies and medical clinics make up the sixth sector.

The department’s inspection has revealed growing cases of wrongdoing among medicinal outlets and healthcare units. Many of them have been found running their businesses without renewing their operating licences.

“Additionally, they have been charging arbitrary prices in the name of conducting lab tests,” Dahal said. According to him, the department has recently filed cases against two such unscrupulous healthcare outlets.