KMC intensifies market monitoring

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 9: A market monitoring team of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) monitored 130 shops in 10 days (September 26 to October 6). 

During the monitoring period, expired products were found in 22 shops in Bagbazar, Putalisadak, Kalimati, Soltimod, Maharajgunj, Ason, Jamal Hatisar, Naxal, Bishalnagar, Handigaon, Chabahil, Maijubahal and Kumarigal.

The price list was not put up visibly in 82 shops. The monitoring teams asked to keep a list price in such shops.  It was found that 62 businesses were not registered. Such businesspersons have been given time to register their business within seven days. One of them has registered.

During the monitoring, it was found that the entrepreneurs had not kept price list, did not use buying and selling price and did not take care of consumable date. At the same time, problems such as not registering the business, not having a room to store expired goods are common.

Among the items kept for sale in the shop, packaged juices, cookies, biscuits, chocolates, bhujia, ghee, pickles, various types of spices, vinegar, ketchup and jam were found to have expired.

In order to minimise this situation, aspects such as prices of food items and beverages sold, production date, expiry date, maximum price have been checked during the monitoring. Similarly, monitoring has been done on the basis of indicators such as arrangement of place to store expired goods, arrangement of sales room, purchase and sale bill, registration and renewal.

The monitoring has been done so that consumers can get hygienic and quality goods at affordable prices. The goal of monitoring is to prevent unfair trade practices and increase awareness for a hygienic market. Three monitoring teams led by food technologists and microbiologists are monitoring the market daily. 

'Safety, hearing, compensation and selection' are the four main rights of consumers. The metropolis is working to ensure these rights.