KATHMANDU, Feb 25: The functioning of regional office of Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DoFTQ) in Dhangadi in far-western Nepal is sure to be affected as a provincial minister’s quarters will soon move into the office.
The department works for direct service delivery to the public on matters related to food quality.
A 3-member committee of chief district officer of Kailali, chief of building division, and regional administrator of Kailali had taken a decision on February 14 to set up the residence of minister for Internal Affairs and Law at the building of regional office of DoFTQ.
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The regional office has been monitoring the market of the area. The major work of the department is to ensure and enhance the quality and safety of food as well as to promote agri-business. The department is one of the essential government bodies for public service.
Sanjeev Karn, director general of DoFTQ, said that his department came to know about the decision of setting up the minister’s residence at their regional office only two days after the decision was taken.
“We are already facing the lack of space for office and laboratory, and now we will be further squeezed,” Karn said.
The regional office covers 5 kathha of land inside the territory of District Office of Agricultural Development, Kailali. Upendra Ray, former chief of the regional office, said that limited space in the building will affect office works.
“The office is supposed to provide service to the public. But after the minister starts living here, the additional security system may also bother our clients,” he said.
