However, business people have criticized the department´s move, which they say will create practical problem in implementation of the regulations.[break]
In the absence of clear legal authority, market inspectors are unable to punish traders involved in unethical business practices.
The department has been holding interaction with concerned stakeholders at the region level to collect their inputs on the proposed amendment to the regulations.
“We´re affecting amendment to the regulations after a gap of 12 years to ensure greater rights of consumers,” said Anil Kumar Thakur, director general of DoC.
He said the new amendment will make it mandatory for grocers to display price list of commodities and manufacturers to maintain quality and quantity standard of consumer goods.
“As per the proposed amendment, traders involved in black marketeering and creating artificial shortage will be penalized by the market inspectors on the spot itself. Action will also be taken against grocers failing to display price list of essential commodities,” Thakur said. He further added that more than 90 percent shopkeepers are not displaying price list.
“Once the amendment is made, market inspectors can instantly slap a penalty of Rs 1,000 on shopkeepers failing to display price list. The fine will be increased to Rs 5,000 for the second time,” he added.
Similarly, market inspectors can slap a fine in the range of Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 if a trader is found involved in cheating consumers by selling goods in inadequate quantity and at an inflated price. The fine will be increased to Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 for second and third time respectively.
The department has appointed market inspectors in 69 districts so far. Assistant chief district officers function as market inspectors in 48 districts. Similarly, 18 districts have officers of Cottage and Small Industry Offices as market inspectors, while officers of Metrology and Standard Office function as market inspectors in three districts.
Meanwhile, business people have objected to the proposed amendment, stating that displaying price list is not practical in the country which adheres to open market economy.
“To force shopkeepers to display price list of essential commodities will not be a practical decision as a number of goods are imported through under invoicing. Actual selling price of such goods will be three times of the import price,” said Sanjeeb Bahadur Koirala, general secretary of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Related story
Try these food items to whiten your teeth naturally!
