TIA shops overcharge customers

KATHMANDU, Aug 13:

Various shops inside Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have been found flouting the standards set by the government. Most of the shops have also been found charging customers higher than the MRP, or maximum retail price, for various food items.

A market monitoring team deployed by the Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) on Tuesday found that most of the shops operating inside the country´s only international airport have not registered their businesses, are selling food items that have exceeded their sell-by dates, do not display the price lists, and charge customers more than the MRP.

DoCSM monitored the shops at TIA in response to complaints registered by members of the public at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM).

The shops named in the complaints are Karki Multiple Trade and Suppliers, Shree Classic Marts, Shree New Confessionary Store and Shree Hotel Sonig, according to the department.

Of these, Shree New Confessionary Store and Shree Hotel Sonig were caught charging customers more than the MRP. According to DoCSM, these outlets were found charging customers more than Rs 150 per 500 ml pack of cold drinks and overcharging for mineral water also.

Karki Multiple Trade and Suppliers was likewise found operating without registering at a government entity and selling products that had exceeded their shelf-life.

The other shops were also found selling date-expired products, not providing VAT bills and not using signboards.

“Such activities at one of the more sensitive places in the country are intolerable. We will take action against these outlets as soon as possible,” Pursottam Subedi, director of the department, told Republica. According to Subedi, action will be taken as per provisions under the Black-marketeering and Some Other Social Offenses and Punishment Act, 1975.
Meanwhile, DoCSM has directed the outlets to be present at the department within a week with their clarifications.

“Though we have noted that the outlets have been charged much higher rent, because of which they have been over-charging customers, the latter should not be made the victims,” said Subedi.

Subedi also said that the department would intensify its market inspections in view of the upcoming festive season.

Source: Republica