FMTCL sale outlets in Upper Dolpa short of food grains

Problem has surfaced with three sales outlets of the Food Management and Trading Company Ltd (FMTCL) in Upper Dolpa facing short supply of food grains. The outlets located at Dho, Saldang and Tinje are running out of food grains stock, said officials. 

Chief of Dolpa branch of the Company, Bishnu Ghimire, informed that the sales outlets are facing the scarcity of food grains after new contract for the supply of rice was not signed this year and there was no stock of rice distributed in the last fiscal year. 

Chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo rural municipality, Dhawa Samduk Gurung, informed that the trade company sells 25 kg of rice at Rs 2,219 while one has to pay up to Rs 4,500 for it outside.  He asked the Company to transport rice and sell it once in a year, adding problem has surfaced in lack of rice during festivals like Dashain and Tihar. 

Gurung opined that there would be a huge scarcity of food grains in Upper Dolpa if it is not supplied within second week of October. There are Shey-Phoksundo, Chharkatangsong and Dolpobuddha rural municipalities in Upper Dolpa. 

Meanwhile, Food Management and Trading Company Province Office, Surkhet, informed that there is sufficient amount of food grains at depots, sales outlets located at all districts of Karnali province.