Kathmandu, October 1 : Targeting the upcoming Dashain, Tihar and Chhatha festivals, the government is opening integrated fair- price shops from today. Some 65 such shops will be operated in various parts of the country including the Kathmandu Valley.
Out of them, 35 will be run by Salt Trading Corporation (STC) and the remaining 30 by the Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC), according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply.
In the valley, there will be 16 fair-price outlets in places like Kalimati, Kuleshwor, Teku, Singhdurbar, Nakkhu, Prayagpokhari, Bhaktapur, etc.
The fair-price outlets will sell daily consumable items like salt, sugar, ghee, rice, pulses, buckwheat flour, peas, broad bean and goats/sheep in a discounted rate. “For example, salt will be available there at just Rs 70/ per kg though its prevalent market rate is Rs 85/ per kg,” states a ministry source. “Similarly, general consumers can also enjoy the discounts of Rs 10/ per kg in rice and Rs 10/per kg in goats/sheep.”