For the purpose, it has agreed to the manufacturers´ demand to conduct tests of their fresh samples at an independent laboratory. “We will carry out fresh test of new samples of the banned brands before taking further action against them,” Rajendra Mahato, Minister for Commerce and Supplies told myrepublica.com. [break]
The government had banned productions and sales of Mahalaxmi Super Quality Nepal, Reliance Super Shakti, Agni, Trishakti, Jagadamba Ultra Premium and Nirman brand of cements after sudden tests of their sample by Bureau of Standard and Metrology found them of being substandard.
But Cement Manufacturers´ Association (CMA) had claimed that the test was done unilaterally and had even raised questions over the intention of the market regulators.
Mahato said the Bureau will collect samples in the presence of manufacturers´ representatives and sent it to an independent laboratory for the investigations to clear the manufacturers´ claim. He further added that the government was serious at not exposing investments of cement manufacturers at risk.
He informed myrepublica.com that he has already asked the Department of Commerce (DoC), the agency that imposed the ban, to carry out further investigations.
DoC officials too said that they would take further actions on the case only after the manufacturers of the concerned brands furnish their statements. The department had summoned the manufacturers to furnish their explanations within a week.
“As all the companies have received our letters, we expect them to approach us for furnishing the statement soon,” said Anil Thakur, director general of DoC. “We will take further decisions on the case after that.”
He further added that DoC had intensified market inspections to safeguard consumers´ interest and will not withdraw it on pressure from any quarter.
President of CMA Atma Ram Murarka, meanwhile, said the association was of the view that the government should carry out independent laboratory test to authenticate its findings.
“We are also in favor of punishing wrongdoers who cheat consumers. However, we flay the one-sided decision,” said Murarka. He, however, added that the association will accept whatever result that the independent test will show.
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