Though a couple of distributors managed to avoid the raid, the joint inspection team seized counterfeited Unilever products worth millions of rupees from Jai Matadi Stores at Indrachowk. [break]
“The stores had four go-downs with counterfeit products worth millions stored. The go-downs have been sealed by the authorities,” said Ambar Thapa, company secretary of Unilever Nepal.
Kamal Thapa, market inspection officer at DoC said the seized products have been sent to RID. “We were planning to raid other shops as well but failed as traders pulled down their shutters and escaped,” he added.
DoC, RID and MPR had conducted the raid after Unilever lodged complaints against the store and other distributors, claiming they were selling counterfeit products.
Although selling of counterfeit products is barred by the law, market is flooded with counterfeit products, affecting genuine manufacturers and cheating consumers.
Still, concerned authorities like DoC have not taken any action against such unscrupulous traders.
Thapa attributed government apathy for widespread penetration of counterfeit products in the market.
However, Kamal Thapa, market inspection officer at DoC brushed off the accusation. According to him, DoC conducts fewer raids because in most of the cases it lacks technical knowledge and cannot distinguish between original and duplicate products.
“Hence, we conduct raids and inspect markets only when we receive complaints.
Apart from technical factors, officials said conducting such raids is difficult because traders hide the counterfeit products. Also, traders vehemently protest the raids and create difficulties in seizing the counterfeit products.
Contrary to his statement, Thapa of Unilever said that the DoC and other authorities do not show eagerness to deal with the menace even when they receive complaints.
While such finger-pointing has only encouraged unscrupulous traders, concerned stakeholders admit there is need for more collaborative action to deal with the problem.
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