MUGU, August 29: Around 100 sacks of rice supplied by Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) to locals of Humal have been found to be damaged.
NFC's Surkhet-based office has blamed contractor Kamal Gurung for delaying the transfer of 100 sacks of rice each weighing 30 kilograms to depots in Simikot from Talcha Airport in Mugu. NFC says that the rice had been left stranded at the airport and got decayed due to rain.
It was also reported earlier that various food grains including beans were adulterated with sand, stones, dust and pebbles at NFC's warehouse in Thapathali. Nearly 40 quintal beans were provided as aid to the flood victims.
Bhim Thapa, chief officer at Nepal Food Corporation, Surkhet has blamed the contractor for not being responsible in transporting the food grains. Thapa informed that contractor Gurung was supposed to transport the sacks of rice to Humla through Bajura via road and then transport it by air from Talcha Airport to Simikot.
Thapa also said if the contractor is not able to transfer the food grains to its destination or incurs damage, then he will be fined Rs 104 of per kilogram of rice.
However, Kamal Gurung has blamed the private airlines for not transporting the food grains. He stated that although he had an agreement with Sita Air and Makalu Air, they did not want to transfer it due to unfavorable weather and huge number of people on pilgrimage to India which led the rice sacks to be stuck at the airport.
The food items which had been left stranded at Talcha Airport had been spoiled despite keeping it under plastic covers.
He said he has already paid Rs 300,000 in compensation after not being able to transfer the food items and if he is not able to do it within the deadline of December, then he would have to pay additional fine.
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