KATHMANDU, July 8: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Matrika Prasad Yadav, has said that the government decided to put its decision to conduct the pesticide residue test in imported vegetables and fruits along the Nepal-India border on hold because of lab issues.

His remark comes amid reports that Nepal government stepped back from implementing its decision to conduct pesticides test in Indian fruits and vegetables because of the pressure from the Indian Embassy who said the decision had affected the Indian vegetable market.

In his replies today to the concerns expressed in regard with the matters related to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies during the deliberations on Appropriation Bill 2076 BS in the National Assembly, he said only the Central Department of Food Technology and Quality Control had a well-equipped lab to conduct such kind of tests and a mechanism under the Ministry of Agriculture was technically not competitive to deal with the matter and that’s why the decision was put on hold.

The government’s decision not to conduct lab test on vegetables has drawn widespread criticisms.

On Sunday, the Nepal Student Union took to the streets urging the government not to backtrack from its decision taken two weeks ago.