JAJARKOT, MAY 9

Saldang of Dolpa district has been facing shortage of rice. The Food Management and Trading Company Limited had fixed a quota of 1,500 quintals of rice for Saldang last year.

Dinesh Transport Service, Banke, had taken the responsibility of supplying the rice to Saldang six months ago. Locals said that out of 1,500 quintals of rice, only 600 quintals had reached Saldang so far due to dilly-dallying on the part of the transport company.

The company was entrusted with the contract to supply rice to Chharkatangsong, Dolpo Buddha and Shey-Phoksundo rural municipalities. Although Chharkatangsong and Dolpo Buddha have received rice, the company has not sent the remaining amount of rice to Saldang.

Chief of Food Management and Trading Company Limited, Jajarkot, Kamal Raj Pandey, said there was delay in supply due to cold and snowfall and added that they had already asked Dinesh Transport Service to supply the rice kept at Dunai, soon.

Locals have got rice at cheap price after subsidised rice reached Upper Dolpa. Earlier, the locals were compelled to buy a quintal of rice at Rs 20,000 in the market. The company has been providing a quintal of jeera masino rice at Rs 7,000 and sona rice at Rs 5,600, added Pandey.

Saldang was facing shortage of rice as they did not get the full quota, said Chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality.

Locals of Upper Dolpa have demanded that the rice quota be doubled to fulfil the increasing demand of rice in the area.

A version of this article appears in the print on May 10, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.