Mugu. Fair price shops have been opened here since Monday in view of the upcoming big festivals like Dashain and Tihar. The shops run by the Food Management and Trade Company branch office are stocking daily consumables at subsidized rates.

Consumers can buy rice, oil, sugar and other major food items at discounted prices in the shop. According to the company, RIMS jeera rice, which is generally considered expensive in the market, is available at affordable prices from Aruwa Sona rice, medium and coarse rice. Similarly, preparations are being made to sell sunflower, mustard and soybean oil and sugar at discounted rates.

The fair price shops are also expected to help control artificial price hike and black marketing. Section Chief Keshav Giri said that the fair price has been brought into operation on time this time due to the problem of sudden increase in price in the market, cheating of consumers and artificial shortage by traders during every festival.

Local consumers, however, said that the discount shop has provided them with direct relief. According to the Food Management and Trading Company, the fair price shops will be operated regularly and preparations have been made to provide additional items as per the need.