Corrupt behavior is often discussed in connection with people occupying political and administrative positions. However, such behavior has permeated many sectors of society. Artificial scarcity of goods during times of calamity, unnatural price hikes, sale of substandard goods and services confirm the prevalence of corrupt practices.

After the heavy rains on Friday-Saturday, the prices of green vegetables and other consumer goods have increased sharply in Kathmandu and other places. Similarly, passengers returning to their places after the Dasain holiday have to pay abnormally high fares. Complaints are also coming from hotels and lodges on the highway that they charge higher prices on this occasion.

This trend is not the only problem this time, it has been repeated time and time again. Although complaints are expressed time and again on the part of the consumers, they have not been heard and strong initiatives and systems have not been established to solve the problem. Now the government should take effective steps. Consumers should be made to feel that the state is there.

By looking at the data of green vegetables and fruits entered in the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee and the prices paid by the consumers, it can be seen how the consumers are hit by high prices. Around 6 tons of vegetables and fruits were brought in here on Saturday when various highways were blocked due to heavy rain.

Likewise, on Friday (October 18) 312 tons, Thursday (October 17) 216 tons of fruits and vegetables were received. Despite the public holiday of Dasain, the import of vegetables and fruits was not stopped. According to the committee's data, 1,973 tons of vegetables and fruits were imported in one week. As most people leave the valley during Dasain, the imported quantity should not affect the market price much. Because, it is a time when inventory is sufficient but consumer is less. But due to the monsoon rains, the entry point to Kathmandu was closed for only one day, and the businessmen took advantage of the opportunity to increase the prices of vegetables and fruits.

Now the data shows that the price of any vegetable has increased abnormally within a week. For example, the price of tunnel golvanda was Rs 60 per kg a week ago, now it has reached Rs 85. Similarly, tane bodi has increased from 100 to 120, parsley from 70 to 120, bitter gourd and vindi from 90 to 150. Similarly, ghee beans have increased from 120 to 140, gourd from 40 to 70 and cauliflower from 100 to 150. Prices fixed at small vegetable shops in inner cities are even higher.

The only reason for this is the roadblocks on various highways on Saturday. Vegetables are imported into the valley from Dhading, Nuwakot, Kavre, Chitwan, Makwanpur and Terai districts. Vegetables are also imported from India. There is some disruption in the vegetables coming on Saturday. But for that reason alone, it cannot be justified to maintain arbitrary prices. Because, the vegetables imported before the highway blockade did not incur additional production or transportation costs. Arbitrary prices are fixed only because of the intention to cheat the consumers by covering up the opportunity.

A similar trend is found in highway hotel food. In many places the food prices are very high but the quality is low. Many hoteliers find it easy to sell low-quality food items at high prices as they are mostly one-time consumers during travel. The vehicle fares are also much higher than what is currently customary and set by the government. Consumers themselves and the government system should be active in order to end this kind of trend of cheating consumers who are forced to do so.

The responsibility of controlling and monitoring the market price lies with the Commercial Supply and Consumer Protection Department and the local level. But they have not made an effective presence. Occasional monitoring and fines have not brought much improvement. It should be a regular process rather than a seasonal sequence. Even if it is necessary to improve the method and process for that, it should be done. The government should develop a system where there is no fraud and the price of goods and services is maintained in a scientific manner.

A state where citizens are cheated cannot be accepted. The state should ensure that citizens pay only fair prices for goods and services. Consumers should also develop a culture of complaining if they are cheated. Most of these complaints are made on social media. That's fine to an extent. It makes the incident public. But the complaint should be made in the complaint body.

For that, information should be given on the toll-free number of the government's toll-free number, the market monitoring and regulatory body, the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection toll-free number. Complaints can also be noted on social media and their website. Fraud can be controlled if the government and consumers become aware to take action against fraudsters.