(1) The functions, duties and powers of the Council shall be as follows: (a) To offer suggestions to Government of Nepal on matters relating to the protection of the rights and interests of consumers, the supply system and prices, quality and purity of consumer goods and services. (b) To disseminate or cause to disseminate information relating to the rights and interests of consumers in order to inform them about the standard of goods and services so as to protect them in matters concerning consumer goods and services. (c) To inform or cause to inform consumers about the prices, quality, quantity and purity of consumer goods and services, as well as about unfair trade practices concerning them. (d) To conduct or cause to conduct studies in connection with the protection of the rights and interests of consumers. (e) To offer suggestions to Government of Nepal on changing the existing policies or framing new policies relating to the protection of the rights and interests of consumers. (f) To maintain or cause to maintain updated national and international information relating to the protection of the rights and interests of consumers. (g) To monitor or cause to monitor the rights of consumers and offer suggestions to Government of Nepal to rectify the shortcomings noticed in the course of such monitoring. (h) To discharge or cause to discharge the functions prescribed by Government of Nepal. (i) To discharge or cause to discharge such other functions as are deemed appropriate for the protection of the rights and interests of consumers. (2) The Ministry of Supplies shall function as the Secretariat of the Council.