Saldang of Dolpa district has been facing a shortage of rice. The Food Management and Trading Company Limited had determined quota of 1,500 quintals of rice for Saldang last year. Dinesh Transport Service, Banke, had taken the responsibility to supply the rice at Saldang six months ago. Locals said that out of 1,500 quintals of rice, only 600 quintals of rice has reached Saldang so far due to dillydallying of the Transport Service.

The Transport Service had taken the contract for rice supply at Chharkatangsong, Dolpo Buddha and Shey-Phoksundo rural municipalities. Although Chharkatangsong and Dolpo Buddha have received rice, the Transport Service has not sent the remaining amount of rice at Saldang. Chief of Food Management and Trading Company Limited, Jajarkot, Kamal Raj Pandey, said that it was late to supply rice at Saldang due to cold and snowfall, adding that they have already asked the Transport Service to supply the rice, kept at Dunai, soon.

Locals have got rice in cheap price after subsidized rice reached Upper Dolpa. Earlier, the locals were compelled to buy per quintal of rice at Rs 20,000 in market. The Company has been providing per quintal of jeera masino rice at Rs 7,000 and sona rice at Rs 5,600, added Pandey. Saldang has been facing shortage of rice in lack of supply as per the quota, shared Chairperson of Shey-Phoksundo rural municipality.Locals of Upper Dolpa have demanded to double the existing quantity of food and to supply and distribute it by establishing the office.