KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued special directives to Chief District Officers (CDOs) across the country to effectively implement market monitoring and ensure food quality, hygiene, public health security, and administrative accountability in hotels and restaurants.

The ministry stated that its serious attention was drawn to widespread public complaints regarding poor food quality and weak sanitation standards in several hotels and restaurants operating nationwide. Emphasizing that safeguarding public health and consumer rights is a primary responsibility of the state, the circular directs CDOs to coordinate with relevant agencies to address public grievances immediately, prioritize public interest, and ensure the rule of law.

Under these new directives, CDOs are instructed to conduct regular, intensive, and surprise inspections of the quality and hygiene of food served in establishments. The ministry emphasized that monitoring should not be a mere formality but must be result-oriented, demanding strict legal action against individuals or institutions that violate existing laws or pose a direct risk to public health.

Additionally, all District Administration Offices have been ordered to immediately establish grievance handling mechanisms, such as hotlines or rapid service desks, to allow citizens to easily lodge complaints. The ministry urged that every complaint received from the public be given high priority and resolved swiftly. Furthermore, the circular highlights that local grievances and issues must be managed locally under the leadership of the CDO and District Administration Office, aiming to eliminate the need for citizens to travel to the central ministry for minor issues. The ministry warned that it will directly monitor district performance and will not tolerate any incompetence or negligence in this matter.