The deputy mayors of Jhapa municipalities have decided to take a collective initiative to tighten the import of toxic vegetables and low-quality fish and meat.

The officials said that market monitoring within the municipalities will be made effective. They requested coordination and cooperation with the District Administration Office, Animal Quarantine Office, and stakeholders to stop the import, sale and distribution of inedible items.

The decision was made during a meeting of the coordination committee of deputy mayors of the district on Monday in Mechinagar municipality. "Severe health problems have started to appear in the health of consumers who eat fish laced with formalin," said Nagendra Prasad Sangraula, deputy mayor of Birtamod Municipality.

Meena Pokharel Upreti, the deputy mayor of Mechinagar Municipality and coordinator of the committee, said that there is no alternative to conducting effective market monitoring in all municipalities of the district for food security. Birtamod Municipality of the district has banned the buying and selling of Indian fish since last November.

The meeting emphasized the need for effective implementation of education and health policy in all municipalities of the district. It has also decided to establish health centres and schools to provide quality basic health services and community schools in all wards. A discussion was also held about preparing education and health policies, which are yet to be made, in the next rural municipality and municipality assembly.