The nine branded stores on Durbarmarg that were sealed by the Ministry of Supplies on the charge of overpricing have reopened for business after 20 days.

They have been allowed to resume operations without facing any legal action under direct orders from Supplies Minister Shiva Kumar Mandal.

On September 4, Minister Mandal himself had led the market monitoring team that raided the stores and closed them down.

The outlets include stores selling products from international brands like Nike, Reebok, Puma, Bentley and Levis, among others. 

Minister Mandal said the shops had been allowed to reopen after the ministry began legal proceedings.

“The clarifications given by the shopkeepers have been forwarded to the District Administration Office which will file charges against them under the Black Marketing and Some Other Social Offences and Punishment Act,” Mandal said.

According to Minister Mandal, they will collect details on tax evasion and under-invoicing from the shopkeepers. “The final report on tax-related issues will be sent to the Inland Revenue Department which will initiate further action under its jurisdiction.”

Ramesh Kaji Shrestha, monitoring officer at the DoSM, said the department removed the seals on Sunday after receiving a direct order from the supplies minister.

Supplies Secretary Krishna Devkota and Director General of the Department of Supplies Management (DoSM) Kumar Dahal are currently on a visit to China.

Gopal Sunder Lal Kakshapati, chairman of the Durbar Marg Development Board, said they held talks with the Supplies Ministry on Friday.

“The ministry removed the seals in coordination with the District Administration Office,” Kakshapati said. He added that the ministry had agreed to allow the shops to reopen on the condition that the owners produce the related paperwork.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Nepal Chamber Commerce had unsuccessfully lobbied Minister Mandal to allow the sealed shops to reopen.