KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav has held secretaries responsible for the decisions to start and halt testing of Indian fruits and vegetables for pesticides.

He accused secretaries at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and his ministry for the fiasco, blaming them of misinforming him.

Holding a press conference on Monday, Minister Yadav reiterated that he didn’t take the decision under pressure.

The government on Friday rolled back its decision to test Indian fruits and vegetables for pesticides at the border points.

The government had started testing Indian fruits and vegetables for pesticides from the third week of June. But the move to ensure imports of quality foods has created problems during implementation.