KATHMANDU, June 17: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) collected Rs 22.88 million in cash fines from firms that were found not abiding by the government rules and posing risk to the consumers’ health.
Shiva Raj Sedhai, spokesperson for the DoCSCP, said they collected the amount while cross-checking 1,066 firms in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. Of the inspected firms, the department took action against 990 firms during mid-July 2020 and mid-June 2021. The department through its 11 branch offices outside the Kathmandu Valley collected cash fines amounting Rs 7.77 million from 269 unscrupulous firms.
Govt collects over Rs 7 million in fines from unscrupulous trad...
In the review period, the market regulator destroyed spoiled foods worth Rs 37.38 million. The department barred 35 firms from carrying out transactions.
According to Sedhai, the DoCSCP took action against 97 firms operating in the Valley during the prohibitory period that is into effect since April 29. In this regard, the regulator slapped cash fines of Rs 1.39 million on these firms.
The Consumer Protection Act prohibits traders from cheating consumers by engaging in adulteration, giving short measure or surcharging. As per the law, the government authority can impose a cash penalty from Rs 5,000 to Rs 300,000 on the spot.
