Kathmandu, August 16
The government has written to the government of India asking for 155,000 tons of rice.
The Nepali government has requested the Indian government to consider the request as India’s rice ban would heavily affect the supply of rice in the Nepali market.
The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Ramesh Rijal, said Nepal had also asked for 50,000 tons of sugar and 5,000 tons of paddy.
Spokesperson of the Ministry, Radhika Aryal, said it was yet to receive a reply from the Indian Embassy.
“We are hopeful,” said Aryal.
Aryal said that India, during informal talks, had said the ban would not be applicable to Nepal. However, since the impact would be grave in Nepal, the ministry has formally written to India to provide rice.
The government is concerned because the government does not have enough rice in stock. Nepal Food Corporation only has around 95,000 quintals of rice in storage.
