October 21: Experts say that consumers themselves should be more aware to curb black marketing in the wake of festivals. Market frauds including adulteration of food and irregularities have been reported in media of late.    
The speakers during a recent meeting of Consumers' Awareness Campaign said the traders take advantage of festive season and cheat the consumers, which needs to be curbed with collective efforts.    
They stressed that informed and aware consumers have important role to ensure availability of standard and quality foods in the market.    
Former secretary of the government, Krishna Hari Banskota, said time has come for consumers' activism and awareness so that they would not be deprived of their rights. He added that impunity is thriving in the market.    
Similarly, another former secretary of government, Dr Hari Dahal, shared that the consumer rights activists and consumers could work in unison to control such irregularities in the market.    
On the occasion, Director at the Department of Commerce, Bhesh Bahadur Kunwar, informed that the department was conducting market monitoring as per its resources and strength. He sought cooperation from rights bodies in this regard.    
Chairperson of the National Consumers' Forum Nepal, Prem Lal Maharjan, also stressed the need of unity among concerned bodies for consumers' rights. -- RSS