By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 31: At a time when the Kathmandu Valley is in the grip of COVID-19 and the prices of vegetables, fruits and essential food items have skyrocketed, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has intensified market monitoring.
As a step to rein in rising prices and ensure the supply of good quality food, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has once again reactivated its market monitoring mechanism in the city.
On Sunday alone, the city office carried out inspection at Kuleshwor based Jay Ma Durge traders and retail grocery shops.
A team of Consumer Rights Protection Committee led by Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi seized 200 sacks of dried peas, 100 sacks of rice and 20 sacks of soybean which were ready for sale.
The team seized food stuffs which were without brand name, packed and expiry dates and price label.
The team has also barred the traders from selling those food items until they present documents to prove the food quality, trader standard, tax clearance, company registration and its renewal.
Similarly, the team has inspected retail shops of Kuleshwor. During the monitoring, the team inspected warehouse of the retail shops and quality, price and weight of food items they were selling.
The team also found that majority of the retail shops were closed while some were providing service only on the request of their customers.
Furthermore, the team has also inspected vehicles loaded with food items and checked the quality of the food
Deputy Mayor Khadgi said, “The inspection is carried out to ensure good quality of food. Because consuming low quality food can weaken people’s immune system.”
She further added that not only during the pandemic, but the city office is always aware that there should be no compromise on quality of food.
Khadgi also appreciated the traders who have been supplying food and essential items, even risking their own lives in the pandemic. “Because of them, we are able to run our life easily.”
However, it was the responsibility of the city office to save its denizens from the unscrupulous traders who were hiking the prices of food items and compromising the quality of food, taking advantage of this situation, said Khadgi.
Chief of the Agricultural Division of KMC Hari Bahadur Bhandari said action would be taken action against the traders who are responsible for market anomalies.
Bhandari said majority of the shops and enterprisers have not met the minimum standards set by the government. Mostly the retail grocery shops were not registered and have not paid taxes.
“Since the majority of the food items are being sold without its production cost, middlemen are the one who are taking advantage of this,” said Bhandari.
Chairperson of the Consumer’s Rights Protection Forum Madhav Timalsina said, “Market anomalies are flourishing because the traders are selling their goods without issuing bill.
Compared to the wholesalers, retailers are found charging high prices, he added.
Bhandari assured to continue on-site inspection and monitoring through various channels.
Prior to this, the team on Saturday had inspected the Kalimati and Balkhu-based vegetable markets.