The DoCSM has been intensifying market inspection campaign over the past few months. How effective is the market inspection becoming?
In the initial years, only the DoCSM used to carry out market inspections. Now, different government agencies like the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DoFTQC) and Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM), among others, are carrying out market inspections in their respective fields. [break]
Market monitoring has not only made quantitative progress over the years, it has also grown manifolds in terms of inspection quality. We have become successful in bringing the accused to book regardless of how big they are. We can say that market monitoring is becoming effective.
On what basis are the monitoring teams mobilized?
We carry out three types of market monitoring - day to day monitoring, specific monitoring and surprise monitoring. On day to day monitoring, market inspectors check the quality of products in the market every day. We conduct specific monitoring based on the complaints filed by the public. Similarly, surprise monitoring is carried out anytime when the market witnesses short supply of daily consumable goods. Specific and surprise monitoring is carried out under the leadership of director general or deputy director general.
Besides, we also carry out follow-up monitoring at least once a week to ascertain whether or not directions given by our monitoring teams are implemented by traders.
It is often said that market inspection gains pace only during festive seasons? What do you say?
Festive seasons are the period when market activities increase manifold and people´s consumption pattern changes. This gives traders more room to involve in foul play. It is because of this reason that we intensify market monitoring during festive seasons.
But it would be wrong to say that we carry out market inspection only during the festive seasons. We conduct market inspections everyday throughout the year. Our target is to conduct 250 inspections per month.
Monitoring activities are becoming city-centric. Does it mean that there are no anomalies in market in rural centers?
This is not the case. Central Monitoring Team has been carrying out market inspections outside the Kathmandu Valley once a week. Moreover, we have directed Chief District Officers (CDOs) of all the districts to strictly carry out market inspections and forward report to us twice a month. We have allocated Rs 100,000 to each district as an assistance to market monitoring.
What are the problems that the department has been facing in terms of market monitoring?
We have been facing plenty of problems. We can´t take on-the-spot action against traders found involved in black-marketeering and other anomalies. We have to go through the lengthy process and await court´s verdict to take action against them. I think it is not practical. If the government wants to make market monitoring effective, it should authorize us to take action against wrongdoers on certain offences.
Besides, we are in need of a place to store products seized from the market and vehicles to ease the movement of market inspectors.
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