KATHMANDU, Oct 28: The government has decided to continue operating fair price shops, targeted especially for the festive season, for another three months due to excessive stockpile of food.
The Food Management and Trading Company Limited (FMTCL), the state-owned entity, has decided to continue its fair price shops until January 15, 2026. According to Bhim Bahadur Thapa, chief of the FMTCL, they have extended the time period citing the excessive stockpile of food with the government body.
The FMTCL this year started its fair price shops on September 15 targeting the festivals of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. The shops were supposed to be closed on the last day of Chhath. Last year too, the government entity extended their operations by similar period. At present, the FMTCL has been operating its subsidized food outlets from 111 locations of 45 districts across the country.
Fair price shops across country
FMTCL has been providing a discount of Rs 5 per kilogram on all types of rice, lentils, wheat, sugar and other goods at the fair-price shops. In addition, the Salt Trading Corporation has also been offering a discount of Rs 2 per kilogram on salt, Rs 5 per kilogram on sugar, Rs 7 per litre on edible oils, and Rs 7 per kilogram on beaten rice, pulses, flour, and maize.
Likewise, coriander seed, tea and cumin seed are being sold at a discount rate of Rs 10 per kg. The FMTCL has been selling beans, Marsi rice and special types of cereals locally produced in Karnali region at a similar discount offer.
Meanwhile, the FMTCL generated revenue worth Rs 206.06 million out of the sales from the fair price shops as of Monday. The designated outlets sold a total of 16,526 quintals of rice, 50,811 liters of edible oils and 152 quintals of pulses between September 15 and October 27.
The government had allocated a budget of Rs 25.2 million for providing subsidies on the food items to provide respite to the people from high prices of essentials. Out of the amount, the FMTCL is left over with Rs 13.336 million, which the company has aimed to utilise for the same purpose during the extended time period.
