Local traders are selling iodised salt at exorbitant prices in different parts of Bajhang district.

A packet of salt supplied by the Salt Trading Corporation is being sold for up to Rs 25 for a packet in places like Bitthad, Jhotha, Bagthala, Bijgada, Deulek, Rayal and Syadi villages. Karan Bohara of Syadi VDC said local traders were importing salt from Chainpur and Bagthala depots of salt trading and selling them at high prices.

In Chainpur, the district headquarters of Bajhang, one can buy a packet of salt for just Rs 9, Bohara said. It is only in remote areas, where packaged salt are being sold at high rates.

Tek Bahadur Bohara, the district chief of salt trading, said whether the traders in remote parts have created artificial shortage of iodised salt was a matter of investigation.