NCC draws govt attention on MRP system

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 19: The Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has drawn the government’s attention to the problems observed in the implementation of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) system in Nepal. 

A delegation led by Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal, President of the NCC, along with office-bearers of the Chamber and other business associations, met with the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, on Wednesday and suggested that the MRP system should only be implemented after resolving the practical issues faced by industrialists and traders.

The business body told Minister Bhandari that the implementation of MRP should proceed only after comprehensive discussions and consensus with all concerned stakeholders.

 “It is the consumers’ right to receive quality goods and services. In order to ensure that consumers are not deprived of this right, and to raise awareness on various aspects of the market and goods, promotional and awareness activities need to be advanced as a current necessity,” the NCC said in a statement.

Agrawal said that given the already fragile business and industrial environment, the recent intensive monitoring activities by the department, coupled with heavy fines, could further deteriorate the business climate.

In response, Minister Bhandari assured that further consultations with the relevant stakeholders would be conducted promptly, and the process of implementing MRP would be taken forward accordingly.

The NCC also informed that a consensus was reached among all stakeholders during the meeting at the Ministry that the prevailing uncertainties surrounding the implementation of MRP should be resolved without delay through mutual dialogue. 

Secretaries from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies were also present in the meeting.