While allegations of vendors charging a high price for onions and tomatoes across the country continue, the office of consumer protection (OCP) says it has been monitoring the market and penalising those charging more than what is allowed.
The OCP mandated to promote and protect the economic interest and safety of the consumers inspected the price of onions and tomatoes along with the weighing machines at the centenary farmer’s market (CFM), today. Vendors are supposed to sell tomatoes at Nu 86 a kilo and Nu 111 a kilo for onions in Thimphu.
The inspection of the price of onions and tomatoes in Thimphu is being carried out by the Office of Consumer Protection along with Regional Trade and Industry Office.
“In case we find the vegetable vendors not complying with the price or if they are charging exorbitant rates, what we do is we impose fines based on their volume of sales,” said Gopal Pradhan, the Chief of the OCP with the Economic Affairs Ministry.
The Ministry has been facilitating the import of onions and tomatoes through the Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited. However, people say that some vendors are selling at a higher rate.
“The prices of onions and tomatoes tend to increase as we sort out the good ones and rotten ones separately. We have seen the OCP coming around for inspection and have seen disgruntlement arising in the vendors. Some have charged a higher price from the recommended price and have been imposed penalties. Though the import of these commodities started eventually, as we divide it amongst the many existing zones it is not that sufficient,” said Dendup, the Tshogpa of the CFM.
“On a daily basis, we have been receiving one to two complaints since there was a shortage of onions in the market. We have people calling in 1214 and on social media. Though complaints have been made, people are refusing to reveal the exact location. Ad hoc inspections have been done to check if the vendors are complying with the standard price,” the chief of the OCP added.
Soon mass inspections will be carried out with the help of relevant authorities.
Kinzang Lhadon
