KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Lekhraj Bhatta, has stressed the need for cooperation from all sides to cope up with the current crisis of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Minister Bhatta highlighted the works carried out by the ministry. He also sought assistance from all sectors to brave the crisis.
According to him, the most effective measure of preventing coronavirus is a lockdown.
Everyone must know it. He urged people not to panic but prepared. He strongly urged all not to overstock the daily essentials to create an artificial shortage.
He shared the information that Salt Trading, and Nepal Food Management and Trade Company have opened shops at different parts of the Valley to ease the shopping of daily essential goods.
In view of the dense population in the Kathmandu Valley, 15 trucks are readied to supply daily essentials in Kathmandu. A toll-free number 1137 for anyone to complain about supply of goods was put in place.
Bhaktapur and Lalitpur too have seven trucks each to supply essentials. Even the big enterprises as chain supermarkets like Bhatbhateni have been requested to assist in the supply system.
He made it clear that Nepal was importing cooking gas smoothly from India though India had enforced a 21-day lockdown. In case the transport of gas bullet is obstructed, diplomatic efforts would be made, he assured.
In response to a question about the availability of foodstuffs, Minister Bhatta said the current stock of foodstuffs suffices for the country for six months. Analyses of a possible shortage in 74 districts (outside Kathmandu Valley) are made and the concerned districts offices asked about the need assessment.
Nepal Food Management and Trade Company has a stock of 25,000 metric tons of rice, 20,000 metric tons of paddy; while Salt Trading has a stock of salt that is adequate for 10 months; sugar for two months.
Similarly, petroleum products are available for a week. It is an imported vial pipeline. There won’t be a shortage of diesel. If the situation gets worse, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police would be given responsibility for the management of cooking gas supply.
The industries are asked to ready 100 thousand gas-filled cylinders and a similar number of empty cylinders.
The high-level committee on prevention and control of the infection of COVID-19 was informed of the problems faced especially by the daily wagers. A discussion was underway to solve this problem, the Minister shared.
The people are repeatedly asked not to overstock cooking gas also because it is a highly inflammable thing. Even a message-oriented song will be presented on it.
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