January 3: Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology has taken action against 18 industries for producing sub-standard goods, according to a news report published by Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). 

The state-run news agency said that the bureau took action against industries manufacturing goods without meeting the quality and standard in the current fiscal year. 
The industries facing action include Ghirahi Cement Pvt Ltd, Dang; Narayani Micro-pipe Industry Pvt Ltd, Bara; Nawa Nepal Plastic Industry; Narayani Cement Industry Pvt Ltd, Bara; Mega Cement Pvt Ltd, Jhapa; Laxmi Steels Pvt Ltd, Nawalparasi; Kathmandu Steels Pvt Ltd, Nawalparasi; and Ganapati Vanaspati Pvt Ltd, Bara. 
Other industries facing action of the bureau are International Cement Pvt Ltd, Birgunj; Gorakhkali Cement Industries Pvt Ltd, Jhapa; Annapurna Cement Pvt Ltd, Morang; Golden Battery Pvt Ltd, Morang; Sugam Manufacturer, Kathmandu; MJP Cement Pvt Ltd, Kapilbastu; Ganapati Cement Pvt Ltd, Kapilbastu; Hongsi Cement Industry, Nawalparasi; Arghakhanchi Cement Industry, Rupandehi; and Shubha Shree Jagadamba Cement Industry, Bara. 
According to RSS, director general of the bureau, Bishwa Bandhu Pudasaini, said action was taken against these industries which manufactured products without meeting the standard and quality. The license of most of the industries facing action has been suspended and the sales and distribution of manufactured goods have been stopped. 
The bureau has written to the industries facing action to produce quality products, failing which their licenses would be annulled. 
The bureau has provided license to 250 industries for manufacturing 369 types of products of 60 different categories.