KATHMANDU, Oct 13: The government is unlikely to open fair price shops this year.
Officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) say they have not received go-ahead from the government to operate such shops yet. "It's already late now. We had sent a proposal to Ministry of Finance (MoF) some days ago, requesting for subsidy to operate fair price shops. But the finance ministry hasn't responded to our proposal," Shambhu Ghimire, spokesperson of Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) told Republica.
The government had been operating fair price shops in Kathmandu Valley and major cities ahead of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals from the past many years. State-owned entities — Nepal Food Corporation (NFC), Salt Trading Corporation (STC), National Trading Limited (NTL) and Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) — used to operate such shops to provide essential commodities to customers at discounted rates.
"Public enterprises might provide some discounts on their own. But opening of fair price shops might not be possible this year," added Ghimire.
Shambhu Koirala, director general of Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM), also hinted that fair price shops won't be opened this year.
"Festive season has already begun. It's too late," Koirala said, adding: "We haven't received any information from MoF and MoCS regarding operation of fair price shops."
Published on: My Republica, (Oct 13,2015)
