KATHMANDU, Aug 27: Though the government has reported cereal food surplus of 335,757 tons, the country is facing deficit of 71,916 ton of edible oil and 68,627 tons of sugar ahead of the major festive season, shows the fresh data released by the Department of Commerce and Supplies Management (DoCSM).
Presenting a work plan for effective supplies during the upcoming festive season in the presence of Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Monday, Narayan Bidari, director general of DoCSM, disclosed that total cereal supplies at present stand at 5.57 million tons against the requirement of 5.23 million tons. [break]The cereal food surplus stood at 886,307 tons during fiscal year 2011/12.
The meeting was also attended by Deependra Bahadur Kshetry, vice-chairman of National Planning Commission, Chief Secretary Lila Mani Poudel, government secretaries and representatives of the private sector among others.
“Despite food surplus, we are facing continued hike in the price of commodities due to black marketing practiced by big traders,” Bidari said, informing the officials about a series of programs being executed by the department to monitor the market ahead of the major festivals.
He also said surplus of pulses presently stands at 31,002 tons, up from 26,164 tons estimated a year earlier. Bidari said supplies of pulses presently stand at 305,254 tons against the demand of 274,252 tons.
However, the country is facing deficit of 71,916 tons of edible oil and 68,267 tons of sugar. The demand for sugar and edible currently stands at 274,252 tons each.
According to officials, the capital is facing deficit of rice, pulses and sugar. However, edible oil is in surplus in the three districts in the Kathmandu Valley.
“We are facing shortage of 436,967 tons of cereal foods, 25281 tons of pulses and 41662 tons of sugars in the capital - the largest consumer market in the country -- due to increasing cases of hoarding and mismanagement in supplies,” Bidari added. However, the capital city is enjoying a surplus of 15,742 tons in edible oil.
Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are facing an estimated shortage of 338,661 tons, 55,519 tons and 42,487 tons of cereal food and 18,081 tons, 4,233 tons and 2,967 tons of pulses respectively. Sugar is also in short supply in the capital, with Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur facing shortage of 29,092 tons, 7,633 tons and 4,937 tons respectively.
Bidari also said the department will leave no stone unturned to take action against traders involved in hoarding of essential commodities.
Related story
Eating junk food is bad for health!
-1774077591.webp)
