‘Consumers’ awareness imperative to curb black marketing’

Kathmandu: The experts and stakeholders concerned have said consumers themselves should be more aware to curb black marketing in the wake of festivals.

The market fraud including adulteration of foods and irregularities are reported in media of late. The speakers at the first annual general meeting of Consumers’ Awareness Campaign here Saturday said the traders take advantage of festival time and cheat the consumers, which needs to be curbed with collective efforts.

They stressed that informed and aware consumers have important role to ensure availability of standard and quality foods in the market. Former secretary of the government, Krishna Hari Banskota, said time has come for consumers’ activism and awareness so that they would not be deprived of their rights. The market monitoring is lax once the consumers are negligent on market issues, he said, adding that impunity was thriving in market. Similarly, another former secretary of government, Dr Hari Dahal, viewed the defenders of consumers’ rights and consumers could work in unison to control the irregularities in market.

On the occasion, Director at Department of Commerce, Bhesh Bahadur Kunwar, informed that the Department was conducting market monitoring as per its resources and strength. He sought cooperation from rights bodies to this regard. Chairperson of the National Consumers’ Forum Nepal, Prem Lal Maharjan, also stressed the need of unity among concerned bodies for consumers’ rights.

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