Kathmandu, September 2

Some party venues (banquets) in Kathmandu Valley have been found to be compromising on the quality of foods being served to party guests.

An inspection carried out by consumer rights activists at the Naya Bazar Party Venue in Naya Bazar on Saturday found the banquet using sub-standard ingredients in foods being served to the guests. Moreover, further investigation showed that party venue had been deceiving guests by serving meat of female goats in the name of mutton.

Following complaints from party attenders, the consumer activists’ investigation team led by Madhav Timalsina, president of Consumers’ Right Investigation Forum, had reached the party venue on Saturday. The team found the party venue had been using sub-standard and outdated ingredients in foods.

“The case of Naya Bazar Party Venue is only a sample case. A majority of party venues in the country are compromising on the quality of food,” said Timalsina, adding that lack of effective government policies and seriousness from the government has encouraged traders to compromise on the quality of food.

Meanwhile, the government has sealed the party venue and directed its management to approach government for further clarification.

As per Timalsina, the government should introduce effective policies to regulate party venues. “Our inspections are basically based on complaints filed by the public. The government should intensify market inspection activities and take action on the spot for any anti-consumer activities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yogendra Gautam, director general at the Department of Supplies, said that the government will enhance its inspection activities in the coming days. “We are currently framing comparatively stronger policies so as to curb anti-consumer activities,” he informed.