LAHAN: A joint market inspection conducted by the Commercial Supplies and Consumer Protection Office, Birgunj, and the Area Administration Office, Lahan, has revealed that the majority of shops in Lahan are operating without proper registration.
The monitoring team found that many businesses had not renewed their registration, failed to maintain purchase and sales invoices, and did not display price lists.
As a result, fines were imposed on several businesses. Anita General Stores was fined Rs 20,000, Samaya Traders Rs 15,000, Shyam Electrol Rs 10,000, and Ma Enterprises Rs 5,000.
Other businesses—including Mahabir Vastralay, Baba Fancy Stores, Nitis Traders and Suppliers, Bibek Sucenter, Priya General Stores, Om Kirana, Hare Krishna Imperium, and Orchid Cafe—were issued a general warning as first-time offenders.
Gokarna Raj Suyal, Chief of the Area Administration Office, Lahan, said that shop owners have been instructed to display price lists within three days and submit required documents to the administration office. Failure to comply will result in legal action, he added.
Madhuresh Prasad Sah, a representative of the Commercial Supplies and Consumer Protection Office, Parsa, Birgunj, noted that during the initial round of monitoring, sellers of non-food items were only warned.
However, stricter enforcement will follow in the next phase. He also directed shopkeepers to sell tobacco and alcohol only after obtaining the necessary licenses.
The monitoring team included representatives from the Commercial Supplies and Consumer Protection Office, Birgunj; the Area Administration Office, Lahan; the Cottage and Small Industries Office, Lahan; the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Siraha; and the Armed Police Force.
Bikash Sarda, Chairman of the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized that business owners must comply with all government policies and regulations.
He urged entrepreneurs to obtain and renew essential documents such as the Permanent Account Number certificate, registration certificates from the Cottage and Small Industries Office and the Internal Revenue Office, the measurement certification, and purchase/sale invoices.
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