Minister Sinha Stresses State's Duty to Protect Consumer Rights on World Consumer Rights Day

Kathmandu. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Anil Kumar Sinha, stated that protecting consumer welfare is a primary responsibility of the state. Addressing a program organized by the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, he mentioned that the government is committed to implementing the consumer rights guaranteed by the constitution in practice.

Minister Sinha recalled that Article 44 of the Constitution of Nepal ensures the right of every consumer to obtain quality goods and services as a fundamental right. He said, 'This right should not be limited only to paper; it is a matter directly linked to the health and life of the citizens.'

He emphasized that all stakeholders must be serious about the effective implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 2075 and its regulations.

The Minister expressed happiness that the process for establishing a 'Consumer Court' to hear consumer grievances and deliver justice to victims has moved forward after a long effort. Mentioning that he had also advocated for consumer welfare when he was previously in the justice sector, the Minister expressed confidence that the forthcoming court would play a significant role in controlling market irregularities and making businesses accountable.

Minister Sinha admitted that there are some weaknesses in the current market monitoring mechanism. 'Our monitoring mechanism is still not fully tech-friendly and competent; it needs improvement,' he said.

Furthermore, he stated that the government needs to develop storage capacity for essential commodities like petroleum products and food grains sufficient for at least three months.

The Minister praised the support provided by small businesses during difficult times in the past, especially during the 2072 earthquake and the blockade, without increasing prices for the public. However, he made it clear that irregularities such as black marketing, artificial shortages, and syndicates currently seen in the market would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Minister Sinha stated that consumers themselves must be aware to make the slogan 'Safe production, judicious consumption, and responsible administration' meaningful. He urged consumers to mandatorily check the label, production date, expiry date, and MRP (Maximum Retail Price) when purchasing goods. He added that conscious consumers who can choose quality goods without falling for advertising illusions will help build a disciplined market.

Various individuals, consumer rights activists, and journalists who contributed to the field of consumer rights were honored at the program. Officials from the Ministry, consumer rights activists, and media personnel were present at the event.