KATHMANDU, Aug 18: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection on Monday seized 22 sacks of dead chickens intended for selling by B & B Meat Mart, one of the popular meat sellers in Bhimsengola, Kathmandu-31.

According to the department, it found the large pile of chickens that died due to various reasons which the grocery had stocked in order to sell to its customers. Such meat if consumed, could pose serious health problems to the consumers. The market regulator penalized the meat store with a cash fine of Rs 300,000 under Clause 16 (2) of the Consumer Protection Act 2018.

Taking undue advantage of the coronavirus pandemic and weak market inspection by the government, unscrupulous traders have been found increasingly involved in market anomalies. The department, in this regard, had imposed on-the-spot cash fines of more than Rs 1 million just in the last one week.

At a time when the department is struggling to carry out its routine work effectively, it has now come up with a plan to cross-check the implementation of the health and safety standards by the shopkeepers. Netra Prasad Subedi, director general of the department, said they had issued a public notice asking the shopkeepers to abide by the safety protocols maintained by the government. According to him, the department has been mandated to conduct market inspection for the purpose.

Issuing the directive, the department has asked the enterprises to facilitate home delivery and digital payment in their businesses. The business outlets have to maintain the lists of do’s and don’ts at the place easily seen by the visitors.  

Sterilization of the basket and other logistics used in delivery of goods, making their customers keep up with the social distancing, management of personal protective equipment for the attendants at the outlets and mandatory use of thermal gun at entry point of the shops are among the rules that the department has made mandatory for the business outlets. 

Subedi said the department in coordination with other government bodies will carry out joint market inspection. “The team will on-the-spot take action against those outlets that violate the safety guidelines,” Subedi said. 

 
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