STC sells iodized salt at a subsidized rate of Rs 9 per kilo in the district. But STC had been supplying subsidized iodized salt only to five VDCs in the eastern part of the district, seven VDCs each in northern and southern parts. But the people of these VDCs have been doing without iodized salt for the past two years. They said they are using uniodized salt from Tibet and India.Importance of iodized salt was discussed on Thursday during an interaction held jointly by the National Planning Commission and Nepal Leprosy Control Program. During the interaction the people of the 19 VDCs complained that they have not been able to use iodized salt for the last two years.
Even though the government said it had sent 5,300 quintals of salt to the district headquarters and nearby villages this fiscal year, the locals complained that they have not received any. Mediapersons and local political leaders at the function said there is no iodized salt in the depots in their villages.
"There's no iodized salt in Shreekot depot. Same is the case with Soru. So where do we get iodized salt? We have not seen iodized salt since two years," said Balkrishna Dahal of Seri VDC.
Meanwhile, Krishna Shakya, a senior official of STC who was present at the interaction promised to take necessary steps needed to supply iodized salt to all the depots.
Since Mugu is mostly roadless, locals have to walk for up to two days to reach the STC depots at the district headquarters for salt. Considering the time, cost and hardships, many buy uniodized salt from local traders.
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