The market inspection team led by Minister for Supplies, Ganesh Man Pun was greeted by angry traders who hurled vegetables as the team reached Balkhu Agricultural and Vegetables Market on Tuesday morning. 

The traders attacked the team with vegetables and water bottles saying that the inspection team should not have come without providing prior information.

“A misunderstanding led to the incident,” said Roshan Kunwar, Director at the Balkhu Market, “We have apologised to the team and are ready to comply by the guidelines.”

A brawl between the traders and the inspection team escalated after the team seized the measurement equipment citing them as uncertified by the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM)

 Moreover, the team also found the management of the Kathmandu Valley’s primary hubs for vegetables-Kalimati and Balkhu- in a sorry state.

The minister upon reaching the Kalimati Vegetables and Fruits Market found it difficult to distinguish whether he had reached a “dumping site” or a vegetable market. 

Authorities from the Food Technology and Quality Control, Department of Commerce and Supply Management along with the Minister inspected the major vegetables and fruits market today.  

“I never knew the food which we eat is managed in such a way,” Minister Pun was quoted as saying. 

During the inspection, the minister instructed the officials to follow the all code of conducts strictly and to inspect the markets regularly. 

The Ministry has decided to inspect the market amid increased complaints of increased use of pesticides and arbitrary pricing among others.  

According to official data, the current daily demand of vegetables in the Kathmandu valley is around 1000 tonnes. Out of which, 70 percent is fulfilled by Kalimati Vegetables and Fruit Market followed by Balkhu.