KATHMANDU: The government will be operating fair shops targeting the upcoming festivals. Giving a continuity to the practice of running shops to provide essential commodities at cheaper prices during the major festivals like Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, the government plans to run such shops in nearly four dozen locations in the Kathmandu Valley.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, these fair shops will be operated for over a month and a half until November 21.
These fair shops will be operated by government-owned trading companies like Food Management Trading Company, Salt Trading Corporation and Dairy Development Corporation (DDC).
The government will also be selling these commodities online. After the coronavirus outbreak prompted containment measures including a stay-at-order home a few months ago, the state-owned trading companies had launched their own online platforms to provide home delivery services.
The government has also released the price of commodities that people will be able to buy from these fair shops and state-owned trading companies.
According to the price list, salt will be available at Rs 18 per kg, sugar at Rs 70 per kg and ghee at Rs 870 per liter. The government has, however, rationed sugar and salt to 4 kg per family.
According to the ministry, these trading firms will offer a discount of Rs 10 per kg on goat, Rs 5 kg on rice, Rs 10 per kg on beans and Rs 5 per kg on buckwheat and split peas.
These fair shops will be operated in Kalimati, Teku, Koteshwor, Singhadurbar, Satungal, Lalitpur, Thapathali, Nakkhu, Prayag Pokhari, Jawalakhel and Bhaktapur, among other major locations in the Valley, according to the Ministry.
Urmila KC, assistant spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fair shops are going to be operated to offer essential commodities to the public during the festival season at a cheaper and discounted prices.
