Festivals-centered fair price shops to run from October 8

Kathmandu: The government has decided to launch the fair-price shops given the upcoming festivals from October 8 to November 19.

According to the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Supplies, Gajendra Kumar Thakur, the decision to operate such shops aimed to serve the interests of consumers during the festive season. The outlets are expected to control unwanted price rises, maintain market quality, and ensure a smooth supply of food at reasonable rates during festivals.

The government annually launches such fair-priced shops to prevent the monopoly of the private sector in the market during festivals. Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) and Salt Trading Corporation under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and Dairy Development Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development will collaborate to operate the shops.

Different varieties of rice, pulses, wheat flour, edible oil, and beaten rice will be available in such outlets at relatively lower prices than in the regular market.

Similarly, a discount of Rs. 10 has been offered per kg of beans and other grains produced in Karnali and live goats, and mountain goats. The government has allocated Rs. 23.22 million for Food Management and Trade Company to run fair price shops this year.

Likewise, the government has allocated Rs. 10 million to provide discounts on foodstuffs to be sold through Salt Trading Corporation. The Salt Trading Corporation will sell sugar at Rs. 97 per kg while it will provide a Rs. 2 discount per kg of salt and Rs. 7 per kg beaten rice.

The Dairy Development Corporation will provide an Rs. 20 discount per kg of ghee Rs. 20 per 200-gram paneer and Rs. 50 on per 500 gram paneer. There would be stalls in 35 places including eight selling centres and three mobile shops of Food Management and Trade Company and Salt Trading Corporation located in Kathmandu Valley.

Besides this, the FMTCL will run fair-price shops in Morang, Jhapa, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Diktel, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Siraha, Janakpur, Parsa, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski, Tanahun, Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Rupandehi, Banke, Dang, Bardiya, Rukum East and Rukum West.

FMTCL will have concessional stocks at 48 places in 42 districts, including Rolpa, Surkhet, Gulmi, Dailekh, Dolpa, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Mugu, Kailali, Dadeldhura, Bajura, Bajhang, Achham, Darchula and Mahendranagar. Such fair-price shops can also be operated in additional districts and places as per the need, the Ministry stated.

The fixed discount can be accessed through free online home delivery, mobile service, cooperatives, and dealers. A monitoring committee has also been formed to check whether the operated fair-price shops are effective or not.

According to the Ministry, market monitoring would be further intensified throughout the festival period. In the case of Kathmandu Valley, the Ministry shall form the team and carry out monitoring throughout the period the fair-price shops are operated. The corporations concerned shall also do the same.

The Department of Commerce, Supplies Management and Consumer Protection will also form an additional team other than the regular monitoring and intensify the monitoring. In the case of the districts, the monitoring teams shall be constituted under the convenorship of the Chief District Officer or the Assistant Chief District Officer for carrying out thorough monitoring, according to the Ministry.

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