Kathmandu. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Protection has taken action against 14 industries and firms for intensifying market monitoring, inspection and action in the recent days.

According to the department, Halesi Mart Pvt Ltd based in Madhyapur Thimi of Bhaktapur has been fined two lakh rupees. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Om Shivashakti Ceramics Pvt Ltd.

During the monitoring, action was taken as per Section 39 (1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 and Section 38 of the same Act.

The Department carried out market monitoring at various industries and establishments in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur at the same time and fined those found unnegligent in the market.

It states that the actual quality, quantity, price measurement, design, or sale or delivery of the goods and services shall be deemed to be unfair trade and business activities.

Section 39 of the Consumer Protection Act states, “If a producer, transporter, hoarder, importer, seller or service provider of goods is found to have committed any of the following offences in the course of market monitoring, inspection, inquiry or search, the inspection officer may impose the following fine on him/her.”

As per the Act, the inspection officer can impose a maximum fine of two lakh to three hundred thousand rupees if found engaged in unfair trade activities.

The department has imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Home Made Spines and Tea Shop of Kathmandu-16 Chhetrapati, Rs 10,000 on GKSS Enterprises Pvt Ltd Gatthaghar and Rs 10,000 on Ashish Trade Link Chhetrapati of Kathmandu-16.

The department has directed IK Surgical Suppliers Chhetrapati Kathmandu to be present before the hospital within 24 hours with a fine of Rs 55,000. The City Mineral Water and Beverage Pvt Ltd, Tokha-8, Kathmandu has been directed to present at the department within three days with documents related to the business. The department has issued general directives to seven other industries and firms.