Highway eatery fined for selling stale food in Malekhu

Malekhu: A highway eatery has been fined for selling stale food to the customers at Malekhu, Dhading. New Riya Hotel located at Char Kilo of Thakre rural municipality-8 in the district was found selling unhygienic food to the customers, thereby prompting the local authority to take action.

The District Administration Office fined Rs 200 thousand to the hotel owner as per Consumer Protection Act, 2075.

After the consumers complained that the eatery provided contaminated things as samosa and curry that were emanating rancid smell, it was taken action by a market monitoring team led by Assistant Chief District Officer, Yubraj Aryal.

On Sunday morning, Assistant CDO Aryal was informed over phone that the New Riya Hotel was selling unhygienic food items.Immediately after receiving the information, a police team from Khanikhola Office reached the hotel.

"As the food items kept for sale were found stinking, the hotel owner was taken under control and a report prepared in the presence of a team including ward chairman," Aryal added.

The foods kept for sale were prepared a day before. The hotel proprietor later admitted that the refrigerator conked out, thereby mistaking temperature.Samosa and curry were found stale, emanating foul smell.

The hotel has been providing eatery for the bus passengers, especially to and from Kathmandu via Dhading.

The owner of the hotel is Rajesh Pathak, 39, from Shivapuri rural municipality of Nuwakot district.