Market monitoring intensified in Rukum West

By Our Correspondent,Rukum Paschim, Oct. 8: In Rukum West, monitoring of festival markets has been intensified. The District Administration Office is conducting joint market inspections in collaboration with various relevant offices.

During these inspections, businesses that were found to be selling expired goods or failing to meet legal standards faced fines and confiscation of their products. 

The Joint Market Monitoring Committee, led by Assistant Chief District Officer Binod Regmi, fined shopkeepers a total of Rs. 30,000 for violations during checks on seven businesses in the main market area of Chaurjahari Municipality.

Previously, inspections in Khalanga Bazar revealed several non-compliant shops that were subsequently sealed and fined. Assistant Chief District Officer Regmi emphasised that these market checks aim to prevent black market activities during the festival, ensure sale of safe consumables, and protect consumer health. He noted that first-time offenders received immediate fines, while repeat offenders were also warned.

The District Administration Office is coordinating with the municipality, the Industry and Consumer Rights Protection Office, and other relevant agencies for ongoing market monitoring. 

Ramesh Oli, Head of the Industry and Consumer Rights Protection Office, reported that during inspections in Chaurjahari, many shops lacked price lists, some were found to have expired goods, and none had completed their registration processes. 

Three of the non-compliant shops were fined Rs. 30,000, and expired consumables valued at Rs. 5,080 were seized and destroyed. Inspections have covered grocery, food, hardware, and other retail sectors.

On a related note, the demand for goats from Salyan is rising in neighbouring districts ahead of Dashain. Approximately 3,000 goats worth Rs. 60 million have been exported from Salyan alone. Over 3,000 goats have been shipped from the Kapurkot, Kalimati, and Sallibazar checkpoints for the festival.

According to the Animal Hospital and Animal Services Office, exports include 300 goats from Triveni Rural Municipality, 1,000 from Kapurkot, 500 from Kalimati Rural Municipality, 300 from Bangad Kupinde Municipality, and 600 from other municipalities. Birendra KC, Information Officer at the Animal Hospital and Animal Services Office in Salyan, noted that the goats are being sent to cities like Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, and Dang.

Basant Rawat, Head of the Animal Health Branch, reported that this year, 300 goats worth over 20 million rupees have been exported from Tribeni Rural Municipality for Dashain. Locals purchase the goats from cooperatives and firms, using the proceeds to fund their festival celebrations and cover expenses throughout the year.

Lokraj BC mentioned that since the third week of August, 1,000 goats worth nearly 20 million have been exported from Kapurkot Rural Municipality. All the goats produced by local farmers have been purchased by traders and sent to Tulsipur and Kathmandu. 

Dan Bahadur Khatri, chairman of Kalimati Rural Municipality, noted that six to seven vehicles have been used for exports from the area, known for its goat rearing.