JAJARKOT, May 9: Saldang of Dolpa district has been facing acute shortage of rice. The Food Management and Trading Company Limited had determined a quota of 1,500 quintals of rice for Saldang last year.
Dinesh Transport Service, Banke, had taken the responsibility to supply the rice to Saldang six months ago. Locals said that out of 1,500 quintals of rice, only 600 quintals reached Saldang so far due to delays by the Transport Service.
Gorkha villages reel under food shortage
The Transport Service had taken the contract for rice supply to Chharkatangsong, Dolpo Buddha and Shey-Phoksundo rural municipalities. Although Chharkatangsong and Dolpo Buddha have received rice, the Transport Service has not sent the remaining rice to Saldang.
Chief of Food Management and Trading Company Limited, Jajarkot, Kamal Raj Pandey, said that it was late to supply rice to Saldang due to cold and snowfall, adding that they have already asked the Transport Service to supply the rice, kept in Dunai.
Locals received rice at a cheap price after subsidized rice reached Upper Dolpo. Earlier, the locals were compelled to buy a quintal of rice at Rs 20,000 in the market. The Company has been providing per quintal of jeera masino rice at Rs 7,000 and sona rice at Rs 5,600, added Pandey.
Saldang has been facing shortage of rice in lack of supply as per the quota, shared chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo rural municipality.
Locals of Upper Dolpo have demanded that the quantity of food be doubled.
