Kathmandu, September 12

The government has announced it will operate fair price outlets of goods across the country targeting the upcoming festive season from September 28.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) today unveiled its plan to operate outlets across the country and sell goods like rice, ghee, salt and sugar, among others, at subsidised rates to control inflation of daily consumables during festive season and give relief to consumers.

“These outlets will sell food products at subsidised rate till end of Chhath,” said MoICS Spokesperson Nabaraj Dhakal.

The subsidised outlets will be run by different public enterprises (PEs), like Salt Trading Corporation (STC), Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) and Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).

While the government will run a fair price shop within the premises of National Trading Ltd targeting consumers of Kathmandu, aforementioned PEs will operate such shops across the country through their regional and district offices. Meanwhile, STC will also operate its subsidised outlets in Kalimati, Koteshwor, Teku, Satungal, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur.

Such outlets, according to MoICS officials, will offer discount of five rupees per kg on thick rice and sugar, Rs 10 per kg in Basmati Rice, Rs 10 per kg in live goats, two rupees per kg in salt, Rs 50 per kg in ghee and Rs 10 per kg in paneer of DDC brand.

The government is also holding discussions with the private sector on possibilities of subsidising food products produced by private firms throughout the Dashain-Tihar-Chhath festival, as per Dhakal.

Meanwhile, Minister of Supplies Matrika Yadav, addressing a function at STC today, directed PEs to be more service-oriented and provide quality products via fair price shops during festive season. Yadav stressed on the need for PEs to increase the competitiveness of their products in the market.