November 3: In order to avoid shortage of sugar during Tihar, the government has taken the initiative to supply a stock of 3000 metric tons of sugar kept by Everest Sugar Mill to the market.

The company has a stock of excess sugar available after selling its products to various beverage companies. The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection has taken the initiative to supply this sugar in the market.

Naresh Khadgi, acting president of Nepal Retail Trade Association, informed the state-owned RSS that 160 sacks of sugar were sent to retail shops in Kshetrapati, Sobhabhagavati, Paknajol and Naradevi for sale on Thursday through Guhveshwari Trade Link. He informed that another 600 sacks full of sugar will be sent to shops in the inner city of Kathmandu on Friday.

The sugar provided by the association will be sold at Rs 117 per kg.

"We have instructed our members to sell sugar at Rs 117 per kg," he said, "The consumer should not pay more than the price fixed by the association."

According to him, businessmen have been asked to put up a notice that sugar provided by the association is available in their shops. More than 1,700 retail traders are affiliated to the association in Kathmandu Valley.

The Director General of the Department of Commerce, Tirtharaj Chiluwal, said that the shortage of sugar will gradually disappear. He added that a meeting of stakeholders held at the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers on Thursday decided to adopt all strategies to prevent shortage of sugar in the market. The meeting concluded that sugar is being illegally imported into the Nepal by evading taxes and is being sent to the market at a high price. The meeting decided to mobilize all state agencies to stop the black marketing of sugar.

Director General Chiluwal said that the Nepal Police will check the stock of sugar in all industries in Nepal and discuss with the industrialists to send the excess stock of sugar to the market.