KATHMANDU: The government has imposed a fine of Rs 300,000 on both the 5-star Everest Hotel and Basera Boutique Hotel due to violations related to consumer protection. Rajan Paudel, the director general of the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumers Protection (DCSCP), reported that expired food items were discovered in the kitchen of the Everest Hotel during a monitoring inspection in New Baneshwar.

The DCSCP discovered that water was being sold at the Basera Hotel in Babarmahal for more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). Due to the fact that these enterprises were found to be participating in activities that were harmful to the interests of customers, they were both fined.

With key festivals in Nepal approaching, the DCSCP has increased its monitoring efforts; on one day, 39 enterprises were inspected. The purpose of this increased inspection is to defend the public interest and guarantee adherence to consumer protection regulations.

There would be no DCSCP monitoring, according to an agreement that the Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) had sent to more than 300 hotels a few days earlier. That being said, the DCSCP stepped up its monitoring once this circular was covered by the media.

The government's determination to uphold fair business practices in the hospitality sector and implement consumer protection laws is demonstrated by the actions taken against the Everest and Basera hotels.