KATHMANDU: The government directed the concerned departments to immediately look into the reports of substandard food products supplied to the April 25 earthquake-hit population and take action against responsible persons and organisations if they are found to be in the wrong.

According to a decision made by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), the Department of Commerce and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control will collect and test samples of rice distributed in Laprak village of Gorkha by the United Nations' World Food Programme. Rice distributed by the World Food Programme in Laprak was found out to be rotten.

The two departments are assigned to take action against the involved persons and organisations in distribution of substandard rice as per existing laws within next three days.

A meeting chaired by OPMCM Secretary Shanta Raj Subedi also directed the departments to regularly collect and examine samples and take appropriate action if the distributed goods were found inedible and failing to meet the quality standards.

They are also directed to conduct regular market monitoring in coordination with local administration.

High officials of the OPMCM, the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control had attended the meeting.

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