The Department of Commerce and Supply Management has initiated action against four jewellery stores in Kathmandu for selling substandard gold ornaments.

The violations were discovered during random inspections conducted at six outlets by the department on Thursday. Twenty-one jewellery stores pulled down their shutters and the attendants fled away as soon as the department officials arrived for the surprise inspection.  

As per the law, jewellery stores should maintain 99 percent purity in 24-carat gold. However, these shops were found selling gold at about 80 percent purity.

The stores facing the action include Shakya Shree Sun-Chandi Pasal and Shubha Shree Jewelers at Kalimati, New Subarna Laxmi Jewelers at Kilagal and Surya Bahadur and Sons at Wotu.

A lab test conducted by the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology showed the gold ornaments sold by these shops were below the standard. Hari Narayan Belbase, director at the department, said they consider gold with 98 percent purity as normal. The department is in the process of seeking clarification from the proprietors of the jewellery stores, he said. “We will recommend to the concerned authority to take action aga-inst these traders either under the Consumer Protection Act 1998 or the Black-marketing and Some other Social Offen-ses and Punishment Act 1975.”

Those who fled away were New Sambhu Ratna Bajrach-arya & Sons, Gold & Silver Star, Namra Bajra Ornament, Gahana Griha, Shakya & Sons, Yas Jewelers, Saubhagya Sun-Chandi Gahana Pasal, Nilima Gahana Pasal, New Jayshree Om Jewelers, Om Siddhi Binayak Jewelers, Om Siddhi Jewelers and Chain Jewelers. Others were Jay Shree Ganesh Sun-Chandi Pasal, Shree Tara Jewelers, Shakya Ornament, Shubha Laxmi Jewelers, Gyan Ratna & Sons, Four Nine Sunko Pasal, Satya Sai, Sapta and Socks and Amrit Jewelers.

Belbase said the department would write to the proprietors seeking clarification.

Aagan’s sweet-making plant sealed

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, in the coordination with the Kathmandu District Administration Office, sealed Gyaneshwor-based production plant of Pashupati Foods that produces Aagan-brand Sweets. According to the department, the company has been found to have operated without the license. Food Inspector Madan Chapagain said the production unit and warehouse were found to be poorly managed. “The food preparing process is also unhygienic that poses risk to the consumers’ health.” (PR)