Kathmandu, September 15
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav has clarified that the government will not let the private sector sell salt arguing it is a basic necessity for the citizens and the private sector’s involvement may increase its cost.
At a function organised to mark the anniversary of Salt Trading Corporation, a government-owned company that has been trading the substance, Yadav on Sunday said recent reports about the government’s preparations to open the business for the private sector were false. He clarified that the government did not have any immediate plan about that.
In another context, he said the government should operate fair price shops throughout the year. Currently, the government runs such shops in the run-up to the two biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar.
He applauded the public utility claiming it respected consumers’ rights since its inception.
