Kathmandu, September 10

Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa, today, directed the government-owned trading corporations — National Trading Ltd and Salt Trading Corporation Ltd — to operate fair price shops across the country targeting the upcoming festivals.

Chiefs of these corporations have been instructed to operate more number of fair price shops in earthquake affected areas so that the affected people can purchase essential commodities at fair price.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Minister Thapa said that his ministry will also encourage the private sector players to set up stalls of readymade garments and footwear in the fair price shops operated by National Trading and Salt Trading to facilitate consumers through one-stop shops.

The government brings fair price shops into operation as an intervention to control probable ill-practices in the market, normally on food items — rice, salt, sugar, among others.

Likewise, the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies has also written to the Ministry of Finance to release Rs 60 million to Salt Trading and Rs 15 million to National Trading to compensate the additional expenses incurred during operation of fair price shops last fiscal.

Subsequently, Minister Thapa has also directed the Central Supply Management and Market Monitoring Committee led by commerce secretary to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities and most importantly chemical fertilisers through escorting of security forces.