Ensure essential foods available during festivals: PM Oli

Kathmandu, Sept 1: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply and the subordinate bodies to ensure smooth supply and availability of essential goods during the festivals as Dashain and Tihar.     

PM Oli reminded that officials that those involved in profiteering and black marketing would not be spared. He said it during a discussion held at his office, Singha Durbar on Sunday.     

The tendency of creating artificial shortage of daily essentials during festival must not be excused. "Black marketing and profiteering would thrive in goods like sugar during festivals. Such traders must be discouraged and the responsibility of marketing and supply given to Salt Trading instead," PM Oli reminded, adding that those doing illegal jobs must not be protected.     

In the meeting attended by Minister for Industry Damodar Bhandari, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, and Secretaries, PM Oli urged them to boost export, reduce import and curb import and supply of items laced with pesticides.     

The excavation of minerals and iron could be purified and used for industry.     

He also directed for shifting store of Nepal Oil Corporation of TIA and Thankot depot in other places which risk free.     

Also reminded by the PM were intensification of the excavation of petroleum products in Dailekh. The PM told them not to be encouraged towards promoting marijuana farming, which, he argued, would earn a bad repute to the country.     

On the occasion, PM also took a briefing from the Industry Ministry.(RSS)