Govt forms taskforce to ease supplies

KATHMANDU, May 7:  The government has formed a taskforce to restore normal operation of supply chain in the market so as to ensure adequate availability of foods and other basic consumable goods in the Kathmandu Valley.



The step was taken after the indefinite strike called by UCPN (Maoist) forced vehicles off the road, disrupting transfer of goods from wholesalers´ go down to retail outlets. Though the Maoists have allowed retailers to continue business between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., consumers have started to face shortage of essential commodities in the market in the absence of transfer of goods to retail outlets.[break]



“The taskforce will make necessary arrangements for replenishing the stock of food, oil and other essential items at the retail outlets,” said Anil Kumar Thakur, coordinator of the team that the cabinet formed on Friday.



It will also provide security escorts for the transportation of vegetables, food items and petroleum products to Kathmandu from outside the Valley.



The taskforce has Chief District Officers of three districts in the Valley, Valley security chiefs, and officials from Nepal Food Corporation (NFC), Salt Trading Corporation (STC), Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and National Trading Limited (NTL), among others as members.



Thakur told Republica that the taskforce on the day took stock of foods and essential commodities with the wholesalers in the Valley. “The stock is enough to meet demand for three weeks. Only problem is, wholesalers are facing problems to deliver those to retail outlets,” he said.



The taskforce has also directed NFC to open its retail outlet during 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and supply rice and edible oil to retailers.



Likewise, STC and NTL have also been ordered to resume supply of sugar, salt, oil, edible oil, flour, processed flour and beaten rice to retailers.



“They will start retail sales and also supply goods to the retailers from Friday,” said Thakur.



The taskforce has also asked NOC to make arrangements for uninterrupted supply of fuel to municipalities for enabling them carry out collections and disposal of wastes without any disruption.



The taskforce on the day also offered security escorts to the wholesalers, retailers, hoteliers and restaurant operators in a bid to encourage them carry out normal procurement and businesses. “We will provide security escorts to transport goods if needed,” said Thakur.



However, retailers, wholesalers and other entrepreneurs refused to accept the government´s offer. Instead, they urged the government to ask the Maoists to allow them move vehicles during the marketing hours of 6 to 10 p.m.



“The decision of the Maoists to allow retail outlets to conduct businesses without allowing them to replenish stock is meaningless. They must also allow movement of vehicles during the marketing hours if they are really responsible to the people,” said a wholesaler, requesting not to be named.

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