Kathmandu, September 6

A day after sealing four branded shops in Durbar Marg on charges of selling apparels and footwear at inflated rate, the government today has sealed two watch outlets in Durbar Marg — Sulux Centre and Watch & See — on the same charges.

The inspection carried out by the Department of Supply Management and Protection of Consumers’ Interest (DoSMPCI) had found that these outlets were highly overcharging customers.

The government monitoring found ‘Watch & See’ selling a brand of watch at Rs 13,000 though the company had valuated its original price at Rs 4,500 at the customs point. Similarly, Sulux Centre was found charging Rs 205,000 for a watch that costs only Rs 77,000.

Both the outlets have been summoned for further investigation at DoSMPCI office within three days.

The government inspection had sealed four branded outlets based in Durbar Marg — Nike, Puma, Bentley and Store One — on charges of selling apparels and footwear at exorbitant rates on Tuesday.

Kumar Dahal, director general of DoSMPCI, said that a case will be filed against these outlets at the District Administration Office after further investigation.

As a result of increasing under-invoicing of imports, the price disclosed by the importers of such popular brands at the customs point is far lower than the market price. In a bid to evade tax, importers have been increasingly under-invoicing imports, which is not only hurting the government’s revenue but also creating various risks in the economy.