The government´s new policy of supplying less quantity of rice to the depots in the villages has been aggravated by tardy transportation triggering famine in many places. [break]
According to Nepal Food Corporation (NFC) Surkhet branch, some 65,000 quintals of rice was delivered to five districts in Karnali zone with nearly 32,000 quintals stockpiled in the district headquarters. Some 8,500 quintals dispatched to the local depots finished in no time.
The government had decided to subsidize transportation of 9,600 quintals of rice allocated this year for 13 depots in five districts in the zone. The subsidy, however, failed making it to a few depots in Kalikot and Jumla.
"Villagers travel for hours to reach the district headquarters where they also face the red tape," said Mahendra Prasad Bhatta of Khin VDC in Kalikot. "In many cases, people even return empty-handed." The VDCs issue recommendations for purchase of up to 30 kilograms of rice at a time from the warehouses at the district headquarters.
Meanwhile, Humla district has already consumed the subsidized rice of over 9,000 quintals. "We have received demand for additional supply but not been able to deliver as the central office has not yet given its approval," said an official at NFC Surkhet.
Related story
Eating junk food is bad for health!
-1200x560-1779450784.webp)
