Keshab Raj Poudel, Kathmandu, Sept. 28: As the festivities including Dashain are approaching, the government has decided to operate fair price shops across the nation including the Kathmandu Valley.

This year, the private sectors will also be operating the fair price shops. The shops will be opened in at last 52 places across the nation jointly by Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) and Salt Trading.

The fair price shops will be operated in all the main offices of the FMTC across the nation, seven provincial offices, five main branch offices, 23 ward branch offices and 16 depot offices. Likewise, fair price services will also be provided in all outlets of Salt Trading, informed the FMTC.

Sharmila Neupane Subedi, information officer of FMTC, said that the decision as to the operation and modality of fair price shops would be taken in a meeting today.

The company said that considering the Dashain festival, Ghumti Pasal (mobile shops) would also be operated in the initiation of Salt Trading. Basic supplies such as salt, rice, sugar, pulses and goats would be made available in such shops at a reasonable price.

In the previous year, the fair trade markets were opened only in the Himalayan and hilly districts but this year, the FMTC has decided to expand the shops in the Terai as well.

Online shopping in Kathmandu Valley

The FMTC is managing to provide online shopping facilities from Thapathali, Suryabinayak, Ram Shah Path, Lagankhel and Nakkhu in the Kathmandu Valley. Information officer Subedi said that basic food supplies could also be bought online this time.

"Free home delivery service will be provided in areas within ring-road," she added.

Goats of Dang and Hetauda to be sold

Targeting the Dashain festival, FMTC has decided to sell 3,000 goats this year. Subedi said that transporter has already been selected for it. The goats will be sold only in Kathmandu from October 17.

"Around 1,400 Himalayan goats and 1,600 goats will be bought by the company this year," said Subedi. The Himalayan goats will be brought from Mustang.

The company has allocated around Rs. 59,986,000 to purchase the goats from Dang and Hetauda.