KATHMANDU, Aug 29: The government is preparing to purchase 20,000 tons of sugar to make it available to the public at subsidized rates during the upcoming Dashain and Tihar festivals. The supply would be managed through Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company, pending approval from the Ministry of Finance.
Although both agencies had earlier sought tax exemptions to import sugar, the Ministry of Finance has yet to approve the request. Officials at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies said the process was stalled after domestic sugar producers informed the government that they had sufficient stock to meet the demand.
According to the Ministry, domestic producers have expressed readiness to supply sugar at the price set by the government. If they agree, the government need not import from India.
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Talks with sugar mill operators are expected to conclude next week. Producers have also urged the government to prioritize their unsold stock, warning that stored sugar risks melting and going to waste.
However, if domestic industries fail to provide sugar at the government’s proposed rate, the ministry indicated it will move forward with duty-free imports from India to ensure adequate supply during the festive season.
