Rajan Poudel, Director General of the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection, claims that they are careful about how to regulate the supply of oil and since there is a particular shortage of oil during Dasain-Tihar, the task of facilitating the supply at that time is challenging. Thoughts expressed by Paudel in the discussion on 'How is the quality of cooking oil?' organized by Kantipur on Monday:
We are cautiously engaged in how to regulate the supply of oil . Most of the oil is in short supply during Dasain-Tihar, at that time facilitating the supply is challenging . We have collected samples about oil quality and sent them to food technology. Any oil sample collected will be tested by Commerce. If the general public suspects any oil, the department will help for testing.
We are also interested in the matter of oil quality . We also look at the issue of price . We ask for the price every month from the Oil Producers Association . In the past, the price of oil had risen to 2600 rupees. It came down to 1800 rupees. Now it has increased again to 2300 rupees. Based on the increased price in the international market, the price increases in our market and if it decreases there, it should also decrease.
Section 21 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 allows any manufacturer to set the retail price. Setting the maximum price can save raw materials, administrative expenses, revenue and a small profit. On this basis, the department is looking into how to facilitate the supply and determine the price.
We can't say that the oil is of poor quality only in the distribution process . There may be some weakness in all parts . In recent days, labs have been installed to measure the quality of oil. Apart from government, there are 8 private labs. There is no need to go to food for testing. Other labs recognized by the government have also opened. Can also be tested there . As soon as the quality is tested by the regulatory body, the businessmen become aware. Consumers are also aware. Because they are aware, they have questioned and interested in the quality . But there is still dissatisfaction with the work done by the department.
In countries that have gone to federalism, monitoring by the union at all levels is not possible . We are in a three tier government . In this sense, the Local Government Operation Act, 2074 has given the right to monitor the local government under the coordination of the deputy mayor or vice president. Based on that, they can also monitor . But the vice president cannot take action against the small grocery stores there. Even in terms of politics . That is why the department has delegated the authority of market monitoring to every local level administrative officer.
In some places, monitoring and action has also taken place. Every Assistant Chief District Officer is empowered to monitor the market. Administrative officers have also been entrusted in some districts. The responsibility of market monitoring cannot be done by only one agency. All parties must be responsible .
