Local bodies intensify market monitoring

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Oct. 12: With the onset of the festive season, local bodies of Jhapa district have intensified market monitoring campaign. 

Damak, Gouradaha, Mechinagar, Shivasatakshi municipalities and Kamal, Gaurigunj and other rural municipalities have intensified market monitoring.

The monitoring teams of the local bodies have been conducting market monitoring in collaboration with area administrative office and police. 

Earlier, the market monitoring was primarily carried out by the District Administration Office and District Cottage and Small Industries Office. 

Recently, the local governments have established a local market management committee and initiated market monitoring activities.

In the ongoing market monitoring, local authorities are not only issuing warnings and recommending improvements but also confiscating and destroying materials of low quality.

Previously, market monitoring was ineffective because the non-edible items and materials found were left behind without appropriate action.

Regina Bhattarai, Deputy Mayor of Damak Municipality and coordinator of the market monitoring committee of the municipality, said the monitoring team had been confiscating non-edible food items and materials and their sales has been prohibited. 

"We monitor the market not only for the sake of monitoring but also to safeguard the rights of the consumers," she said. 

Informing that the monitoring is conducted with the presence and support of local administration and police, Deputy Mayor Bhattarai said locals tend to emotionally influence the monitoring if it is solely conducted by local representatives.

"We have realized that the presence of the administration and the police has made the process easier," she added. 

Deputy Mayor of Kamal Rural Municipality, Pramila Tiwari Neupane said they had noticed significant problems in the market of rural areas. 

During the market monitoring, it has been observed that numerous food items have surpassed their expiry dates, and many items are being sold without proper labels.

"We have destroyed expired foods and other items and have also advised those who haven't labeled their products to sell them only after proper labeling," she explained.

The team has issued warnings to both the producers and distributors, she said, adding, "Whenever the monitoring team found expired and non-edible food items, the shopkeepers request the team not to destroy them. However, we prioritized consumer safety and proceeded with the destruction."

Likewise, vice chairman of Gauriganj Rural Municipality, Pujan Neupane Kunwar said that monitoring has been initiated, with a specific emphasis on hotels and groceries.

Kunwar noted, "Mostly, food items for children are often found being sold without mentioning the manufacturing and expiry dates."

In addition to the rural municipality's efforts, the Gauriganj Area Administrative Office has also taken steps to bring companies that sell food items without mentioning manufacturing and expiry dates under the legal framework, she added.