KATHMANDU, Sept 1: The government-operated fair price shops have come into operation from Friday in nine different locations of the Kathmandu Valley.
The market will sell everyday commodities like rice, beans, ghee, paneer, pulses, sugar, salt, buckwheat, goats and mountain goats at a discounted price.
Urmila KC, under secretary at the Ministry of Supplies, said that the shops are located in Satungal, Jorpati, Kalimati, Ramshahpath, Balkhu, Sallaghari, Suryabinayak, Nakkhu, and Jawalakhel in the valley.
Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) is providing a discount of Rs 10 on basmati rice, buckwheat and Rs 5 on other nine types of rice, beans and pulses. Salt Trading Corporation (STC) is providing discounts of Rs 2 and Rs 5 on salt and sugar respectively. Similarly, Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) is providing discount of Rs 10 each per kilogram of ghee and paneer.
Farmers leave ginger in fields due to lack of fair price
The NFC will give a discount of Rs 10 per kilogram of body weight while selling goats and mountain goats. It has plans of selling 2,500 goats and mountain goats this year.
The Ministry of Supplies in coordination with the three corporations operates fair price shops every year targeting festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath.
The market will remain open from 10 am to 5:30 pm every day.
"The shops are operated for ease of the consumers during the time of festival," KC told Republica: "It will help in price stabilization in the market by creating awareness amongst the consumers."
She said that the price in the fair price shops will be the base to spot pricing irregularities in the market during festivals.
There are apples from Jumla and also beans and buckwheat from Karnali for sale in the market this year. The market will be open from September 1 till October 26 in nine locations of the valley and 36 different locations outside the valley.
"The market is being operated in three mobile vans across the Valley," KC said.
NFC spokesperson Shankar Sapkota said that a family can buy 30 kilograms of rice, 8 to 10 packets of salt and five kilograms of sugar. However, consumers will be provided with supply sufficient for their family after accessing the need.
"The market is aimed at lightening the burden of spending during festivals," added Sapkota: "Middle-income people will benefit from discounts provided on everyday commodities in the market."
