According to Nepal Food Corporation (NFC), Surkhet, it had demanded Rs 480 million in food assistance but the government only allocated Rs 370 million. Worse still, the amount has not been released yet. [break]
“The budget government released earlier has already been spent. We have not been able to ensure smooth food supply to the region as the government is yet to release the remaining amount,” said Purna Prasad Dahal, an official at NFC, Surkhet.
Dahal stated that food stocks in the region would soon be depleted. Humla is the hardest hit as food cannot be supplied to the region except through air transport.
“Till Monday there was only 16 quintals of rice in NFC stock in Humla, 400 quintal in Jumla, 1,700 quintal in Dolpa and 1,000 quintal in Kalikota and Mugu each,” he informed, adding that the stock would last only for two weeks.
According to Dahal, NFC needs an additional 250 million to ensure smooth supply of food to the region. “In the past, the government provided additional assistance if the amount allocated fell short. This year, the government has not released even the promised amount,” he said.
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