DODHARA CHADANI: Although the government used to operate fair price shops one week before the beginning of Dashain festival every year targeting Dashain and Tihar festivals, no such shops have come up yet in Sudurpaschim Province, including Kanchanpur, this year.

Officiating Chief of Salt Trading Corporation, Dhangadhi province Office, Tej Bahadur Kunwar, said fair price shops have not been operated so far in the province as the Salt Trading Office does not have enough foodstuff, except salt, this year.

He shared, “Fair price shop is in operation only in Kailali district of Sudurpaschim Province but sale of goods is very less.”

He added, “Fair price shops are not in operation this year as we do not have sugar, oil and other foodstuffs except salt. There is a shortage of sugar across the country this year to run the fair price shop.”

The Salt Trading had been running fair price shops at seven places of Sudurpaschim province targeting Dashain and Tihar festivals in previous years.

Although the objective of such shops is to provide foodstuffs to consumers at cheap price during festivals, problems have surfaced due to lack of operation of such shops this year.