Jhapa, December 30

A large volume of rice sent by Bangladesh as succour to earthquake victims eight months ago is lying at various godowns of the Food Corporation in Jhapa.

Food Corporation Mechi Zonal Office Chief Markndeya Prasad Upadhyay said they were forced to store 61,000 quintal rice in different godowns due to lack of conducive environment to distribute them properly as crisis had hit the country. Upadhyay said that his office had received 100,000 quintal rice sent by Bangladesh government as assistance to earthquake victims back in May. According to Upadhyay, only 39,000 quintal rice has been sent to the earthquake-affected areas. “We cannot work on our volition. We have to work in accordance with government policy,” Upadhyay said.

Upadhyay further added that his office had signed an agreement with Harhar Mahedev Transport Service to ferry the rice to quake-hit areas.

The rice received as relief has been stored in five godowns of the Food Corporation in Birtamode and Chandragadi.

Three trucks loaded with blankets handed by Bangladesh, India and Sikkim were sent to Gorkha and Nuwakot through Jhapa today.