With fests come fair-price shops

The government has decided to operate fair-price shops from Oct 8 to Nov 19 in view of upcoming festivals.

According to spokesperson at the Ministry of Industry and Supplies, Gajendra Kumar Thakur, the decision is meant to provide relief to consumers during the festive season. The outlets are expected to keep market prices in check, provide quality supplies and ensure a smooth supply of food commodities at reasonable rates. Thakur added that the idea behind this step is to help people get their supplies at subsidized rates and alert them about possible artificial price hikes.  

The decision, a continuation of past practices, is a step meant to provide token relief to people reeling under food inflation.

The government will operate these shops in collaboration with the Food Management and Trade Company Limited (FMTCL) and Salt Trading Corporation under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Dairy Development Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. 

Pulses, rice, wheat flour, edible oil and beaten rice will be sold at lower rates—by offering a discount of Rs 7 per kg/liter.

The price waiver also covers beans and grains produced in Karnali, with a discount of Rs 10 per kg, along with goats and mountain goats. The government has allocated Rs 23.22m to FMTCL for running fair-price shops and Rs 10m for the sale of food products through STC outlets this year. STC will sell sugar at Rs 97 per kg through its outlets while a kilogram of salt will cost Rs 2 less, whereas DDC outlets will provide Rs 20/kg discount on ghee and discounts of Rs 20 and Rs 50 on 200-gram and 500-gram paneer.

These commodities will be sold through 35 outlets, including eight selling centers and three mobile shops of FMTCL and STC in the Kathmandu Valley.

Apart from Kathmandu, FMTCL will run fair-price shops in Morang, Jhapa, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Diktel, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Siraha, Janakpur, Parsa, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski, Tanahun, Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Rupandehi, Banke, Dang, Bardiya, Rukum East and Rukum West.

The FMTCL will have concessional stocks at 48 places of 42 districts, including Rolpa, Surkhet, Gulmi, Dailekh, Dolpa, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Jumla, Mugu, Kailali, Dadeldhura, Bajura, Bajhang, Achham, Darchula and Mahendranagar.

Such fair-price shops may be operated in more districts as per the need, the ministry stated. The fixed discount can also be accessed through free online home delivery, mobile service, cooperatives and dealers.

A committee has also been formed for monitoring the fair-price shops that will operate from 10 am to 5 pm.