KATHMANDU: The Committee on Industry, Commerce and Consumers' Welfare of the Legislature-Parliament has stressed on solving the problem surfaced in supply of daily essential goods through the political level, as the problem was created by the Tarai/Madhes agitation.

At the Committee meeting held in Singha Durbar today, Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supply, Ngaindra Prasad Upadhyay, said although the government mechanisms were effortful on making smooth supply of daily essential goods including the petroleum products, the ongoing agitation in Tarai/Madhes was creating hurdle.

The problem on transportation could be resolved through the political level, he suggested.

According to Secretary Upadhyay, the stock of the goods at present would, however, suffice for two months.

He further said the unnecessary stocking of goods against demand was one of the reasons why the market would see shortage.

Alternative customs point needed

Secretary Upadhyay also stressed for opening the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi customs point because the Tatopani customs point was still affected by the rainfall, which was already blocked after in the earthquake.

Executive Director at Nepal Oil Corporation, Gopal Bahadur Khadka, said a total of 150 gas tankers were stuck on the way due to Madhes agitation.

As the current stock of petroleum products could be used only in the emergency, and the import from Raxaul customs point had been difficult, alternative customs point was essential, he added.

Subsidy to fair price shops

Similarly, Director General at the Department of Commerce, Shambhu Koirala, urged the Finance Ministry to ensure subsidy to fair price shops run by different organisations during the festivals.

Officiating General Manager at Nepal Food Corporation, Pawan Kumar Karki, said that there was storage of sufficient amount of food grains for the coming festivals.