Kathmandu:The government is set to launch a special nationwide campaign starting today with the objective of controlling market irregularities, artificial price hikes, and consumer fraud. The initiative, titled “Price Transparency Week,” is being organized jointly by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
Deepa Dahal, Press and Research Advisor to Prime Minister Balen Shah, stated that the campaign has been introduced to address the growing problem of rising prices that directly affects the daily lives of ordinary citizens. She expressed confidence that the week-long initiative would become a milestone in preventing unfair practices in the marketplace. Advisor Dahal also urged all concerned agencies, civil society organizations, and media personnel to support the campaign and remain vigilant against market-related irregularities.
Duration and Leadership of the Campaign
The special campaign will begin on Monday and continue until Jestha 3 (mid-May). According to decisions and official correspondence from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has already issued directives to relevant bodies across the country for its implementation.
Advisor Dahal informed that instructions have been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the Offices of the Chief Ministers of all provinces, and local governments to effectively implement the campaign.
Responsibilities of Concerned Authorities
Each local government will be required to instruct businesses and service providers within its jurisdiction to maintain mandatory price lists and will regularly monitor compliance.
Similarly, District Administration Offices have been tasked with activating district-level market monitoring committees, conducting extensive public awareness campaigns on price transparency, and ensuring effective regulation.
Central and provincial market monitoring committees will evaluate market conditions, deploy inspection teams, and initiate strict legal action against those found violating regulations.
Why the Campaign Is Necessary
The government decided to launch the campaign following increasing complaints from consumers regarding inconsistent pricing of goods and services and the lack of clarity about actual market prices, which has led to growing incidents of consumer exploitation.
According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the campaign aims to ensure clarity and transparency in the pricing of all goods and services available in the market, make traders and service providers more accountable, enforce the mandatory display of price lists, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and guarantee immediate legal action against offenders.
