E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, SEP 22 -

The Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) has introduced subsidy schemes on major commodities being sold by state-owned entities during Dashain in line with the government’s relief package.

Under the scheme that will come into effect on Friday, people will be able to buy sugar, ghee, salt and rice at subsidized rates from four public enterprises (PEs)—Salt Trading Corporation, National Trading Limited, Nepal Food Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation. The ministry is working on adding more commodities in the scheme.

The four PEs will sell these essential commodities at subsidized prices from their integrated bazaar and mobile shops in Kathmandu and fair price shops in all 240 electoral constituencies. The MoCS had asked the Ministry of Finance to provide Rs 200 million for the purpose.

Under the scheme, the price of sugar has been slashed to Rs 59 per kg from Rs 64 per kg while the price of DDC’s ghee has been reduced to Rs 450 per kg from Rs 460. However, customers can buy only 2 kg of sugar at a time, according to government officials. Similarly, the price of salt has been reduced to Rs 13 per packet from Rs 15 while prices of Japanese rice, Basmati rice, Mansuli and Jira Masino have been slashed to Rs 45, Rs 65, Rs 38 and Rs 46 per kg respectively. Earlier, they cost Rs 50, Rs 67, Rs 40 and Rs 48 respectively.

The MoCS has slashed the price of rice for Karnali and other remote areas by Rs 10 for Japanese rice and Rs 5 for other varieties to be sold by the PEs.

There will be seven integrated bazaars during Dashain. “We are yet to decide the route for the mobile shop service,” said Gopal Ghimire, chief of the sales promotion department at National Trading Limited.

However, the government has not announced subsidies on petroleum products, pulses and oils. Consumer rights activists said that a hike in the prices of pulses and edible oil was the major concern of consumers.

Ghimire said that subsidies on pulses and edible oil were not included in the relief package of the government; however, the Ministry have asked the entities selling these commodities if they could provide discounts. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), the sole supplier of petroleum products in the country, said that it was unable to provide discounts on petroleum products due to its losses. Demand for cooking gas in particular surges during the festive season.

“However, we have requested gas traders to ensure smooth and hassle free distribution of gas cylinders during the festival,” said NOC spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel. According to him, cooking gas supply will be normal as over 10,000 tons LP gas have been imported until Sept 19.

Posted on: 2011-09-22 09:24

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