Consumer Survey in Kathmandu Valley
KATHMANDU, SEP 29 -
Although the government lately has become active in market monitoring, its own consumer survey has revealed that its initiatives for ensuring consumer rights are below the mark.
The Department of Commerce (DoC)’s ‘Sample Consumer Survey in Kathmandu Valley’ shows that 53.57 percent of consumers are not satisfied with the government’s work on ensuring consumer rights.
The survey carried out before the government’s recent market monitoring drive also throws other interesting facts. It says consumers are still reluctant to complain against cheatings, a sizeable portion of consumers do not know where to go to register the complaints and local retail shops are the most preferred ones for shopping. The department had surveyed 1,080 consumers through random sampling in the Valley from mid-May to mid-July. According to the survey, 26.11 percent consumers accused businessmen and their organisations of not honouring the law, while 18.38 percent said consumer rights bodies are not active as expected.
According to Anil Kumar Thakur, director general of the department, the survey was carried out to know the real situation of consumers in the Valley and to collect information about products and services being offered in the open market. “Suggestions received in the survey will help in determining the necessary steps to be taken by the government for ensuring customer rights,” said Thakur.
The survey says that 44.85 percent consumers are cheated due to their lack of awareness, whereas 39.83 percent have been victim of illegal activities. Lack of effective work by regulatory bodies, absence of laws to take immediate action against wrongdoers and lack of professionalism among traders are some of the major weaknesses pointed out by the survey.
“The major problem is lack of awareness among customers, and they hardly complain even if they are cheated,” said Jaggan Nath Mishra, secretary at the Forum for Consumer Right Protection. The survey says only 7.33 percent people file complaints at authorities concerned and 22.72 percent do not know where to make plaints. Mishra estimates the percentage of consumers unaware about their rights even more.
According to the survey, a majority of consumers are for immediate action against traders involved in food adulteration, malpractice and black marketing. The survey also shows the similar fact which is being frequently told by consumer right activists. Around 18 percent of the consumers say there should consumer courts in major cities to give justice to consumers on time.
Regarding supply situation, 59.18 percent of consumers said there is no smooth supply of the essential goods and services in the market. The survey has underscored the need for increasing investment in the agriculture sector for improving demand and supply chain in local markets. At least 25.28 percent has urged the government to invest in the agro sector, while 15.97 percent were for trade facilitation to private sector and 50.93 percent suggested strict action against black marketers to improve supply provision.
Although large and medium department stores are increasing in the valley, 52.26 percent consumers shop at retail shops and 13.55 percent at departmental stores.
50.93 percent demand action against black marketers
59.18 percent say there is no smooth supply of essential goods
Only 7.33 percent make complains upon being cheat
Source: Kantipur
Although the government lately has become active in market monitoring, its own consumer survey has revealed that its initiatives for ensuring consumer rights are below the mark.
The Department of Commerce (DoC)’s ‘Sample Consumer Survey in Kathmandu Valley’ shows that 53.57 percent of consumers are not satisfied with the government’s work on ensuring consumer rights.
The survey carried out before the government’s recent market monitoring drive also throws other interesting facts. It says consumers are still reluctant to complain against cheatings, a sizeable portion of consumers do not know where to go to register the complaints and local retail shops are the most preferred ones for shopping. The department had surveyed 1,080 consumers through random sampling in the Valley from mid-May to mid-July. According to the survey, 26.11 percent consumers accused businessmen and their organisations of not honouring the law, while 18.38 percent said consumer rights bodies are not active as expected.
According to Anil Kumar Thakur, director general of the department, the survey was carried out to know the real situation of consumers in the Valley and to collect information about products and services being offered in the open market. “Suggestions received in the survey will help in determining the necessary steps to be taken by the government for ensuring customer rights,” said Thakur.
The survey says that 44.85 percent consumers are cheated due to their lack of awareness, whereas 39.83 percent have been victim of illegal activities. Lack of effective work by regulatory bodies, absence of laws to take immediate action against wrongdoers and lack of professionalism among traders are some of the major weaknesses pointed out by the survey.
“The major problem is lack of awareness among customers, and they hardly complain even if they are cheated,” said Jaggan Nath Mishra, secretary at the Forum for Consumer Right Protection. The survey says only 7.33 percent people file complaints at authorities concerned and 22.72 percent do not know where to make plaints. Mishra estimates the percentage of consumers unaware about their rights even more.
According to the survey, a majority of consumers are for immediate action against traders involved in food adulteration, malpractice and black marketing. The survey also shows the similar fact which is being frequently told by consumer right activists. Around 18 percent of the consumers say there should consumer courts in major cities to give justice to consumers on time.
Regarding supply situation, 59.18 percent of consumers said there is no smooth supply of the essential goods and services in the market. The survey has underscored the need for increasing investment in the agriculture sector for improving demand and supply chain in local markets. At least 25.28 percent has urged the government to invest in the agro sector, while 15.97 percent were for trade facilitation to private sector and 50.93 percent suggested strict action against black marketers to improve supply provision.
Although large and medium department stores are increasing in the valley, 52.26 percent consumers shop at retail shops and 13.55 percent at departmental stores.
50.93 percent demand action against black marketers
59.18 percent say there is no smooth supply of essential goods
Only 7.33 percent make complains upon being cheat
Source: Kantipur
