KATHMANDU, March 3: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection collected Rs 17.69 million in cash fine from 684 business firms operating in the Kathmandu Valley on the charge of being involved in malpractices during mid-July 2020 and mid February 2021.

According to the department, it destroyed expired food items worth Rs 37 million during the review period. It sealed 19 firms on the charge of selling expired food items and surcharging their customers.

Likewise, the department in the first seven months collected Rs 4.62 million in cash fines from 165 firms operating in Morang, Parsa, Rupandehi, Banke and Kailali districts. It destroyed substandard food worth Rs 1.54 million in these districts during the period.

Due to the lack of effective government monitoring, the selling of expired food items and price hike are rampant in many places across the country. According to department officials, the regulator has been unable to increase monitoring due to insufficient budget.

 
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