Market monitoring to be expanded across the country

Kathmandu, July 9: Minister for Supply Ganesh Man Pun Saturday informed that the market monitoring would be expedited across the country, and warned that government officer not fulfilling their duty would be punished.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital, he said that the week-ling market monitoring proved very fruitful.

"During the week-long special market monitoring, we found substandard and non-edible food items are being sold at the cost of consumers' health. Therefore, the Ministry has decided to activate the monitoring committee led by the Chief District Officer in respective district and monitor markets across the country simultaneously," said Minister Pun.

He expressed his commitment to punish businesses running illegally as well as the civil servants that did not fulfill their duty of market monitoring.

Minister Pun informed that the government would launch campaign for consumers' rights conservation and market monitoring from the coming fiscal year which begins on 16^th July.

He clarified that the Ministry was working to improve the weak legal framework and poor inter-ministry coordination before beginning integrated monitoring campaign.

"The government will not allow to run those business that were found guilty during the monitoring if they don't comply to the government directives and make improvement in goods and service delivery," said the Minister.

He underscored the need of effective coordination among the ministries and respective departments and agencies in the market monitoring.

Minister Pun stated that the government would drive the market monitoring in war footing. "I have experienced that the monitoring is as complex as the people's war. I will push it forward as the war against the crime."

He said that the petroleum products including cooking gas import was normalized, and the temporary shortage experienced recently would be resolved soon while market would be monitored in this regard.

"The government has begun the process to import cooking gas from Paradeep too," he said. 

Speaking on a different note, Minister Pun said that while talking about the national consensus, agenda should be given priority rather than the leadership or the government.

He countered the rumour that his party, CPM (Maoist Centre) was planning to recall him from the government. "Sometimes you cannot deliver as expected, but there was no discussion in the party about asking me to quit the job," he said.

Nepali Congress leader and chairman of Apex Development Bank Bishnu Prasad Dhital accused the minister for colluding with the businessman, and trading information about market monitoring with them.

He said that in order to lead the country on the path of development, all political parties should come together and form a government of consensus. He also suggested that the CPN (MC) should pull its support to the present government and initiate fresh discussion with the NC about forming the new government.