The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSP) has fined 140 stores – out of 298 – in course of market monitoring before the festivals.
According to the department, the stores were fined Rs 2.38 million for charging customers arbitrarily, failing to furnish required documents, and selling sub-standard products. The government has intensified market monitoring for the festive season as many traders are blamed to overly charge and sell substandard or adulterated products to the customers.
Though, the department is criticised for its monitoring only during the festive season, it has started market monitoring from August 18 with an aim to check unscrupulous practices in the market during the Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals, the department said, adding that it carried out market monitoring between mid-August and the last week of September.
According to director general at the department Yogendra Gauchan, some traders even shut down their stores as soon as they see market monitoring team.
Though, half a dozen agencies are working under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to check the market distortion and to protect the interest of consumers, the consumer rights activists say that the market monitoring has not been able to curb malpractices and anomalies in the market.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Department of Livestock Department, DoCSP, and local governments among others work for consumer protection.
Following the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 in February, the market inspectors have got the authority to impose fine on the spot, if any producer, transporter, importer, seller or service provider is found to be violating rules. Earlier, the market inspectors did not have any authority to penalise those, who were flouting the rules.
According to the department, the stores were fined Rs 2.38 million for charging customers arbitrarily, failing to furnish required documents, and selling sub-standard products. The government has intensified market monitoring for the festive season as many traders are blamed to overly charge and sell substandard or adulterated products to the customers.
Though, the department is criticised for its monitoring only during the festive season, it has started market monitoring from August 18 with an aim to check unscrupulous practices in the market during the Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals, the department said, adding that it carried out market monitoring between mid-August and the last week of September.
According to director general at the department Yogendra Gauchan, some traders even shut down their stores as soon as they see market monitoring team.
Though, half a dozen agencies are working under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to check the market distortion and to protect the interest of consumers, the consumer rights activists say that the market monitoring has not been able to curb malpractices and anomalies in the market.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Department of Livestock Department, DoCSP, and local governments among others work for consumer protection.
Following the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 in February, the market inspectors have got the authority to impose fine on the spot, if any producer, transporter, importer, seller or service provider is found to be violating rules. Earlier, the market inspectors did not have any authority to penalise those, who were flouting the rules.
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