Dhangadi, October 12

As the roads earlier damaged by monsoon rains are yet to be restored completely, this has led to the shortage of food grains in the remote hills of the far-western region.

Acting Chief of Nepal Food Corporation zonal office in Dhangadi Gangadatta Panta said they were facing difficulty transporting food grains to the remote districts hit by food shortage.

“We have been reported about the shortage of food grains in districts such as Darchula, Baitadi and Bajura, but we are helpless. We can’t send anything there given the sorry condition of the roads,” he said, adding his office has 50,000-plus quintals of wheat and over 1900 quintals of rice in stock.

Among others, Darchula is worst hit by the food crisis lately. Apart from the poor condition of the roads, cumbersome tender process has also hindered efforts to dispatch food grains to the district. Supply of some 500 quintals of food grains has been delayed due to the long tender process. Food shortage just ahead of Tihar has dismayed the locals.

On his part, Panta assured that the food grains allocated for Darchula will soon be sent there once the roads are repaired.