KATHMANDU: A vast section of rural folks is likely to celebrate Dashain sans rice — what many may feel a staple but is, indeed, a luxury for the deprived lot in these back-of-beyond areas. The reason: Incredible as it may sound, the government claims that it does not have adequate number of choppers to ferry the rice in time for the festivity, which kicks off tomorrow. At least half a dozen far-flung districts — Humla, Bajura, Rukum, Gorkha, Mugu, Jajarkot and Darchula — have requested the government to send the rice on a war-footing in view of the biggest festival. But the authorities are unlikely to accede to their request in the light of “infrastructure inadequacy”. Government data suggests that 30 remote districts face acute food insecurity annually. Minister for Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato said today that though the government was trying its best to meet the demand, it was hamstrung by the lack of choppers. He took a dig at the private choppers as well. “They’re always willing to carry the foodgrains of the World Food Programme because the latter pays attractive air fares. But we cannot match those exorbitant rates. Besides, it’s too expensive for us to press the Nepali Army’s (NA) choppers into service. The NA’s rates are Rs 10,000 more than that of private ones for a single trip,” he explained. As per the current rate, a private chopper charges Rs 18,000 to carry foodgrains to Jajarkot in the Far-West. According to the minister, the process of requisitioning a NA chopper is also rather tedious. Leaders of various political parties have also jumped on the “get rice for our people” bandwagon. They are pressuring state-run the Nepal Food Corporation to ensure timely supply. And philanthropy is certainly not at the heart of the matter. The situation presents a golden opportunity for the leaders to travel to their native places by choppers and also help make a lasting impression on the unsuspecting rural folks that they ensured rice for them during Dashain. The assertion was corroborated by Mahato as well. The minister maintained that his department was monitoring the market to curb hoarding. The government also plans to import sugar soon in view of the growing shortage.