Banned plastic bags found at government stalls, Speaker Aryal objects

Speaker Dolprasad Aryal has objected to the use of banned plastic bags at government stalls at a local-produce fair held ahead of Tihar. He made the remarks to reporters after inspecting the fair organized at the premises of the Food Management and Trading Company, also known as Khadya Sansthan, in Thapathali.

He said it was inappropriate for such bags to appear at a government stall when the government itself has been urging citizens to build a plastic-free society. He also pointed out that the maximum retail price, or MRP, was not clearly marked on government products.

The Speaker drew serious attention to the fact that the government, which directs private businesses to mandatorily display the MRP, was not following the same rule on its own goods.

About 26 stalls have been set up at the fair. Speaker Aryal said such fairs for marketing local agricultural produce should not be limited to Kathmandu alone but should be held regularly in the country's major cities.

He said that if fairs were run not just during festivals but also on holidays, farmers from remote areas would be able to get their produce to consumers. He noted that since farmers find it difficult to spend time on promotion and marketing alongside production, the government should make this easier.

He also said that government bodies such as the Food Management and Trading Company and Salt Trading, as well as the media, should prioritize and promote farmers' produce.