DANG: Consumer interest in the fair-price shop established in Ghorahi, Dang, for the festive season is growing, with an increasing number of people visiting to purchase essential commodities ahead of Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.
The fair-price shop operated by Salt Trading Corporation Limited in Ghorahi has been witnessing a growing number of customers, particularly those seeking to buy salt and sugar at prices lower than those in the open market.
Nirmala Magar, a resident of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-15, said she visited the shop because sugar and salt are available at relatively cheaper prices. She suggested that the government should also make other essential commodities available at subsidized rates to provide greater relief to consumers.
Similarly, Nirmal KC of Ghorahi-7 said he was pleased to be able to purchase salt and sugar from the fair-price shop. He said the price difference compared with the open market had provided some financial relief.
Rambabu Prasad Gupta, chief of Salt Trading’s Ghorahi office, said the number of customers visiting the shop has been increasing each day. He said customer turnout was relatively low during the initial days but has risen significantly in recent days, with more than 300 people now visiting the shop daily.
Under the scheme, consumers can purchase sugar for Rs 100 per kilogram and salt for Rs 24 per kilogram. In the open market, sugar is currently priced at around Rs 140 per kilogram, while salt costs around Rs 30 per kilogram. Consumers can therefore save money by purchasing these items from the fair-price shop.
Salt Trading has set a purchase limit of six kilograms each for sugar and salt per consumer in a single transaction.
The corporation began operating the fair-price shops from Ashwin 1 to cater to increased demand during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath. For the festive season, Salt Trading Corporation Limited is operating fair-price shops in Birtamod, Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Lahan, Janakpur, Birgunj, Hetauda, Narayangadh, Trishuli, Pokhara and Baglung.
In previous years, Salt Trading primarily sold salt through fair-price shops during the festive season. This year, however, the corporation has added sugar to the list of commodities being sold at subsidized rates.
According to Gupta, the fair-price shops will remain operational from Ashwin 1 through Kartik 31. He said the initiative aims to provide relief to consumers by helping contain the price increases that often occur in the market during the festive season.
Purchase limits have been imposed to prevent individuals from buying excessive quantities and potentially causing shortages for other consumers. The concerned office said it is monitoring the shops to prevent misuse of the provision.
Demand for essential commodities generally rises as the festive season approaches. With household consumption of food items such as sugar and salt increasing during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath, the government’s initiative to provide these goods at subsidized prices is expected to offer relief to consumers and help moderate market prices.
Comment