Kathmandu, March 15. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Matrika Prasad Yadav, has directed employees for regular market monitoring.
In his address to a programme organized by the Department of Commerce, Supply and Protection of Consumers on the occasion of the World Consumers Rights Day today, the minister urged the market monitoring employees to include market monitoring in the monthly calendar and follow it effectively instead of only bearing in mind festival times and special requests.
Lately, education and health sectors are marred by abundant misconducts, he said, calling on employees to monitor about it.
Describing those cheating consumers as the ‘biggest corrupts’, he highlighted the need of combined efforts to discourage such practice and bringing the guilty to book. He promised to meet the people’s aspirations during his term.
Department director general Yogendra Gauchan briefed the programme that the new act that had been in force since October-November last year had made the market monitoring easier.
As per the new provision, market monitoring officers hold the right to fine Rs 5,000 to 300 thousand any perpetrator on the spot provided that offense could be proved.
Consumer rights activist Madhav Timalsina demanded the establishment of consumers awareness center at each local level.
The Department has so far in this fiscal collected Rs 2.5 million in fines for the violation of market rules. March 15 every year is celebrated as the World Consumer Rights Day since 1983. RSS
