Kathmandu, November 6:

Minister for Commerce and Supplies, Rajendra Mahato, said today that the government would soon introduce ration cards for the needy.

Talking to a delegation led by the Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Nepal in the capital, Mahato said they were sending a team to India to study the ration card system. He said the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) would cut fuel prices. “The committee formed to look into fuel adulteration would be revamped if it failed to do the assigned work.”

The assurance came amidst reports that adulterated petrol had caused motorbike engines to cease. Mahato promised to do the needful to establish the Consumer Court, Consumer Commission and the Consumer Protection Department.

The memorandum sought the ouster of representatives of the NOC, dealers and petroleum transporters from the committee, stating that their presence would question the credibility of the investigation.

The delegation also asked the government to check supply bottlenecks and adulteration of consumer goods. The forum asked the minister to clarify why the prices of kerosene and cooking gas were not decreased.