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6k tonnes of relief rice stuck in NFC godowns
About 6,000 tonnes of rice provided by Bangladesh in grant for earthquake relief have been stuck in Nepal Food Corporation’s (NFC) warehouses in Jhapa for the last eight months.About 6,000 tonnes of rice provided by Bangladesh in grant for earthquake relief have been stuck in Nepal Food Corporation’s (NFC) warehouses in Jhapa for the last eight months.
Bangaldesh had provided 10,000 tonnes of rice after the April 25 earthquake, but NFC has failed to deliver the product to the targeted areas. As a result, the rice has started to perish, sources sadi.
The rice has been stored in NFC’s four warehouses in Birtamod and one in Bhadrapur. “We have supplied 4,000 tonnes of the rice to the quake-hit areas,” said Markande Prasad Jaiswal, chief of NFC, Jhapa. “We will send the remaining stock soon.”
NFC has claimed the supply was delayed due to their compulsion to follow the Public Procurement Act that seeks appointment of the supplier through competitive bidding process. The transportation disturbances due to the ongoing Tarai unrest and fuel shortages as a result of India-imposed trade blockade also delayed the supply.
“The remaining stock will also be delivered in line with the Act’s provision. The process has reached to its final phase,” said Jaiswal.
Hara Hara Mahadev Transport Service has bagged the contract to deliver the rice to Lahan, Pokhara and Bhairahawa. This company charges Rs141 per quintal from Birtamod to Lahan, Rs315 to Pokhara and Rs271 to Bhairahawa.
Although NFC had awarded Birat Transportation Service the contract to deliver the rice to Kathmandu at Rs321 per quintal, but the company didn’t sign the contract.
NFC said it has adopted a policy of delivering the rice to earthquake survivors as per the need. “The rice will go to the districts concerned once we get orders from above,” said Jaiswal.
Besides the rice, six trucks of other food items and garments provided by Bangaldesh and other countries have also been stuck at the Mechi Customs Office. The products include medicines, garments, juices and dry foods.
Jhapa’s Chief District Officer Tej Prasad Poudel said he has drawn the Home Ministry’s attention about the situation.
“Once the NFC completes the delivery contract, the rice will be delivered to the affected areas,” he said, adding as far as the garments are concerned, the local administration was awaiting orders from the centre.