National
Salt, rice top voters’ demands in remote Bajhang villages
Locals of remote villages in Bajhang district have demanded political parties and their leaders help ease in supply of salt and rice.Basant Pratap Singh
Locals of remote villages in Bajhang district have demanded political parties and their leaders help ease in supply of salt and rice.
Interestingly, ensuring smooth supply of subsidized rice and salt to the remote villages has been a major agenda of most of the parties in the district during their campaigns for the second round of polls scheduled for June 14.
“We are not going to believe candidates who promise us big dreams. The people here are going through a lots of trouble just to manage rice and salt. We will cast our votes for a candidate who assures us salt and rice in subsidy,” said Tilak BK of Dhalauna in Kanda Village Council.
People in Kanda have to shell out as much as Rs200 for a packet of iodised salt which costs just Rs9 in Chainpur, the district headquarters of Bajhang. Due to the reason, most of the families in Kanda are found to be doing without iodised salt.
Similarly, a kilo of parboiled rice which is sold for Rs34 per kg in Chainpur, costs Rs 250 in Kanda.
No wonder, all major parties are canvassing for votes with a promise of rice and salt.
“If I win the election, I will ensure smooth supply of subsidized rice and salt in Kanda by establishing a depot,” promises Nepali Congress’ Rajendra Bohara, who is vying for the post of chairman in Kanda Village Council.
And his rivals Man Bahadur GC of the CPN-UML and Surendra Bohara of the CPN (Maoist Centre) are also soliciting votes on the back of the same agenda—food security.