गाउँको दूरदराजदेखि काठमाडौंको सिंहदरबारसम्म

Kathmandu: Singhadurbarnews.com has been consistently publishing reports on alleged corruption, forgery and irregularities within the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). Following the publication of reports exposing alleged misconduct within the corporation, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has already arrested eight DDC employees, while several others remain under investigation and surveillance.

Meanwhile, a new revelation has emerged that counterfeit ghee is allegedly being sold in foreign markets, including Japan and Dubai, using the name, logo and labels of the Dairy Development Corporation.

Although DDC-branded ghee is reportedly being widely sold in Japanese markets, the corporation has stated that it has not exported ghee to Japan. This raises serious questions: Who manufactured the ghee using DDC’s name and logo? Who transported it to Japan? And under whose authorisation is the product being marketed and sold?

The matter now requires further investigation.

The labels used on the ghee reportedly being sold in Japan appear to differ from the packaging of DDC’s genuine products. While the original DDC ghee packaging clearly displays the corporation’s name and distinctive green-coloured logo, the suspected products appear to use different logo designs and labelling formats.

A complaint, along with supporting evidence, has reportedly been submitted to the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police. Although investigations are said to be underway into the alleged sale of counterfeit ghee and misuse of DDC labels in Japan, Dubai and other international markets, the absence of any publicly announced concrete action has raised questions about the effectiveness of the investigation.

Agriculture, Forests and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary and Ministry Secretary Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra have also reportedly been informed about the matter. However, effective investigation and enforcement action by the concerned authorities have yet to become evident.

Secretary Mishra has worked in the ministry for a considerable period, including during his tenure as Joint Secretary, and is understood to have been aware of the issue from its early stages. Despite this, his apparent silence has raised questions about his role, responsibility and accountability in addressing the alleged misuse of the corporation’s brand.

Customs and Quarantine Authorities Also Under Suspicion

Under the established procedures, dairy products exported from Nepal must undergo laboratory testing by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. The relevant documents, including agreements between buyers and sellers, are also required for the testing process.

Following the laboratory examination, a health certificate must be issued by the quarantine office under the Department of Livestock Services. The customs clearance process is then completed on the basis of the required documentation and certification.

However, if the ghee carrying counterfeit DDC labels was actually exported from Nepal, serious questions arise about how it passed through food quality testing, quarantine inspections and customs clearance.

How did such products leave Nepal through Tribhuvan International Airport Customs and Birgunj Customs? Where are the corresponding export records? These are critical questions that demand investigation.

Selling or exporting products without essential information such as the manufacturer’s name, address, contact number and other mandatory details raises serious regulatory concerns.

If the products bearing counterfeit labels were exported from Nepal, the roles of the manufacturers, exporters, customs officials and quarantine personnel involved must be thoroughly investigated. The possibility of collusion involving officials at various levels, including within the concerned ministry, cannot be ruled out and requires independent verification.

An employee of DDC has stated that the misuse of the corporation’s name and brand to sell counterfeit ghee in international markets has damaged its reputation and financial standing.

DDC employees are demanding legal action, including compensation claims, against individuals and companies responsible for misusing the corporation’s brand name, logo and identity.

The alleged international sale of counterfeit products under the name of a government-owned institution raises serious concerns about brand protection, export regulation, institutional accountability and the effectiveness of Nepal’s regulatory enforcement mechanisms. The concerned authorities must establish the origin of these products, identify those responsible and make the findings of their investigation public.