Fair price shops begin

The government is opening fair price shops in different parts of the country starting Saturday. The Ministry of Supplies is operating such shops in 13 locations in Kathmandu Valley and 23 places outside the valley. Issuing a statement, the ministry said that such fair shops will provide discounts of Rs 5 and Rs 2 per kilogram, respectively, on sugar and salt sold by Salt Trading Corporation Ltd (STCL) -- a government trading utility. Such fair price shops open for business till November 7. The government has been running such fair price shops to offer essential commodities to the public at ‘cheaper rate’ every year during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals. The move to operate fair price shops is also intended to provide public essential goods in the festive season when black-marketing and artificial price rise become rampant. STCL will provide attractive discounts on 78 different food products that it has been selling. According to the ministry, the fair shops will sell edible oil at Rs 107 per liter.

Such fair shops will be operated at Ramshahpath, Thapathali, Nakkhu, Jawalakhel, Balkhu, Teku and Jadibuti (Koteshwar). Likewise, public will be able to buy commodities at fair price shops in Surya Binayak (Bhaktapur), Budhanilkantha, Bouddha, Satungal, New Baneshwar and Kalimati (STCL premises).  

These shops will remain open from 10 am till 6:30 pm. Nepal Food Corporation Ltd will also provide discount of Rs 10 per kg on rice and beans, and Rs 10 per kg on goats and mountain goats. Similarly, Dairy Development Corporation, another government utility, will provide Rs 10 per kg discount on ghee and Rs 5 per kg on paneer (cottage cheese). Similarly, the ministry will also run three mobile shops along the Ring Road areas in the Kathmandu Valley. A person can buy a maximum of get 3 kg of salt and 6 kg of sugar from such mobile shops. Meanwhile, the meeting of the Rapid Action Team held on Friday under the chairmanship of Secretary Prem Kumar Rai decided to further intensify market monitoring and follow-up in the festival season.  Five more monitoring teams will be mobilized in the market from Tuesday, according to the statement. Source: republica