House panel directs govt to ensure smooth supplies of daily essentials during festivals

The Industry and Commerce and Labor, and Consumer Interest Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the government to ensure smooth supplies of daily essential goods during festivals such as Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.

A meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday directed the government to add the number of fair price shops, ensure adequate supplies of food to the remote areas including Karnali and intensify the market monitoring during the festival time.

Sharing about the decisions of the meeting with mediapersons, Committee President Abudul Khan said the government has been urged to take additional efforts to make smooth supplies of daily essentials during festivals.

"The government decision to launch the fair-price shop targeting upcoming festivals is welcoming," he said, adding that the number of such outlets should be increased.

Likewise, the government has been asked to take measures to prevent the potential market irregularities such as artificial price-rise, food adulteration, food supplies on black market and artificial shortages in times of festivals.

During the meeting, the Committee held discussions with betel nut producers and supplies and representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies regarding issues in the exports of betel nuts.