Oliz Store And New Family Girls Hostel Fined Rs 5 Lakh As Authorities Step Up Market Monitoring Across Kathmandu Valley

Authorities have taken action against several businesses across Kathmandu Valley following market inspections that found problems including overpricing, poor food hygiene, missing bills, incomplete documents and other violations of consumer protection rules.

The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection fined two businesses a total of Rs 5 lakh during Tuesday's inspection. Oliz Store Pvt. Ltd. in Maharajgunj was fined Rs 2 lakh for selling goods above the fixed price, while New Family Girls Hostel in Koteshwor was fined Rs 3 lakh after authorities found problems related to billing and food quality.

The inspections were part of wider market monitoring by government authorities to check whether businesses are following rules related to pricing, billing, food quality, product labels, registration and consumer protection.

Oliz Store Fined Rs 2 Lakh For Overpricing

Oliz Store Pvt. Ltd., located in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, was fined Rs 2 lakh after inspectors found that the business was selling goods at prices higher than the fixed price.

The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection imposed the fine during its market monitoring operation. The action was taken as part of efforts to protect consumers from unfair pricing practices and ensure businesses follow pricing rules.

The case highlights the department's focus on checking whether shops are selling products at the correct price and following consumer protection laws.

New Family Girls Hostel Fined Rs 3 Lakh

New Family Girls Hostel in Koteshwor, Kathmandu Metropolitan City 32, was fined Rs 3 lakh under the Consumer Protection Act, 2075.

According to the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection, the hostel did not issue PAN bills while admitting students and was found providing unhygienic food to students.

A separate press release from the Kathmandu District Administration Office also listed several other concerns found during a joint inspection of the hostel.

The inspection was carried out by a joint team involving the Kathmandu District Administration Office, Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Koteshwor Police, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Hotel Association Nepal.

According to the press release, the hostel had not followed minimum required standards and had been registered only at the ward level. Authorities also found that it had not obtained required permission from relevant bodies.

Inspectors also reported that there was no responsible hostel warden and that CCTV monitoring had not been arranged. The press release further raised concerns about irresponsible treatment of students that could affect their mental well being.

Authorities also noted concerns over students being forced to leave the hostel at night in an unsafe and disrespectful manner.

Following the inspection, the hostel was ordered to stop its current operation, and its representatives were directed to appear at the Kathmandu District Administration Office within seven days for further necessary action.

Three Businesses Asked To Submit Documents

The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection also found discrepancies at three other businesses during its monitoring.

These businesses were instructed to appear at the department's Babarmahal office within three days with the required documents.

Khana.com in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, was asked to provide business registration documents, tax clearance records, the bank statement linked to the QR code being used by the business, and purchase and sales documents.

Kshitij Medical Store in Kirtipur was summoned with sample medicines and bills to prove the prices of medicines that had been sold.

Bishram Restaurant & Bar in Budhanilkantha was also instructed to appear with a gas dealer's certificate, purchase and sales bills, and distribution details.

Several Other Businesses Told To Improve

Authorities also gave improvement instructions to a number of other businesses where problems were found but immediate financial penalties were not announced.

Watika Traders in Kathmandu was instructed to issue mandatory bills and receipts to customers.

Sangeej Apparel Studio in Lalitpur was told to properly organize purchase and sales bills and maintain MRP labels on products.

New Rissa Sweets in Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur, was cautioned to follow food hygiene and quality standards.

Gayatri Spices and Food in Gamcha was instructed to issue regular bills, while Garimai Oil Mill in Dadikot was told to sell only products with MRP stickers and properly organize its price lists.

Gas Sellers Also Monitored

The department's market monitoring also covered businesses involved in cooking gas distribution.

Sita Gas Store in Chakrapath, Kathmandu, was thanked for the smooth sale and distribution of gas. Authorities asked the business to continue the same practice in the future.

Bhatta Suppliers in Madhyapur Thimi, meanwhile, was instructed to make arrangements for the smooth supply of gas to consumers.

Wider Market Monitoring Across Kathmandu Valley

The latest inspections show that authorities are monitoring a wide range of businesses across Kathmandu Valley, including retail stores, hostels, medical stores, restaurants, food businesses, clothing shops and gas suppliers.

The actions taken have ranged from fines to document requests and instructions to improve business practices. Oliz Store and New Family Girls Hostel received fines totaling Rs 5 lakh, while several other businesses were ordered to correct problems or submit documents for further review.

The monitoring is focused on protecting consumers by checking prices, bills, food hygiene, product labels, business documents and other required standards. Businesses found violating rules can face fines and further administrative action, while businesses following proper practices may also receive positive recognition from authorities.