Kathmandu, December 14

The government is providing 20 kilograms of rice to families in Karnali region for birth or death functions starting next week.

As per the Cabinet’s decision made two weeks ago, Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) will begin to provide 20 kilograms of rice to families mourning death or celebrating birth in this region as support to these families, NFC Spokesperson Shankar Sapkota said.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has already issued Rs 40 million for this purpose to the Ministry of Supplies (MoS). Preparing a separate directive, MoS had written to NFC last week to implement the Cabinet’s decision as soon as possible.

“As the necessary budget for this project has been received, we will begin the distribution process from next week,” Sapkota said.

As per the government’s directive, the rice will be delivered from NFC offices and depots based in Humla, Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla and Kalikot for free. In case the family resides in remote areas and lives far from the NFC offices, the government will also offer transportation charge of Rs 500 per day for up to two days.

The transportation charge will not be offered to the families that live near (can be reached within a day) the NFC depots.

The government will also provide one per cent of the price of 20 kg of rice to such families to cover administrative costs of birth or death functions.

However, families that have shifted to Karnali region from other places for business or employment purposes will not get the facility under this programme.

According to the directive, families will have to claim the complimentary rice within six months of birth or death.

“To be eligible for the scheme and other transport facilities, families will have to mandatorily bring birth or death certificate issued by the government offices, hospital or police report along with a recommendation from the village development committee,” Sapkota added.

The government has formed separate monitoring teams in each district of Karnali region to monitor the implementation of the programme. The monitoring team in each district would be headed by the chief district officer.

However, NFC officials said that infrastructure in some NFC depots in Karnali are in deplorable state and need to be upgraded so that rice meant for such families can be stored for a longer period.