The Department of Supplies Management (DSM), in association with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Kathmandu Chief District Office and other stakeholders, is set for an aggressive festival-oriented monitoring starting next week for the upcoming Dashain.

One of the country’s biggest festivals, Dashain is due in three weeks.

DSM Director General Yogendra Gauchan said, “We are meeting with concerned stakeholders this Friday, and starting market inspection from next week.”

Government agencies have taken the initiative to inspect markets to monitor and prevent malpractice by traders and retailers of consumer items and other services. Many traders indulge in profiteering and other market anomalies during the festival.

Talking to the Post, Gauchan said the department would mobilise three monitoring squads in the valley.

“We monitor the market every day, but we will be more sensitive and strict this time,” said Gauchan. He said the DSM would make the further announcements after the meeting.

The government bodies will monitor meat, grocery shops, slaughterhouses, dairy products, sweet shops, bottled drinks, petrol and diesel stations in the Valley.  

Kathmandu Chief District Officer Gyan Prasad Acharya said, he is committed to curbing any kind of food adulteration and black marketing during the festival.

“We are always concerned about consumer’s problems and rights. We will deploy security personnel as demanded by the DSM and take action against the culprits,” said Acharya.

However, consumer rights activists are skeptic about government’s announcement.

Consumer rights activist Jyoti Baniya said, “Every year they carry such drive, but it is not effective and result oriented. I do not believe the government, it is just going to be a ritualistic one.”