Hatiyagola food depot in Sankhusabha sees short of rice for past 15 monthS

KIMANTHANKA (SANKHUWASABHA), OCTOBER 9: The Hatiagola Food Depot, located in the remote northern region of the district, is experiencing a severe rice shortage. Locals have been unable to access subsidized rice due to the annual food quota being limited to just 500 quintals.

The depot has been out of rice for the past 15 months. The Food Management and Trade Company attributed the delay in rice supply to the untimely completion of administrative processes.

Wangchhedar Bhote, Chairperson of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, confirmed that the shortage at the Hatiagola food depot began last year. He expressed frustration, stating that although the District Administration Office had formally approached the Provincial Food Management and Trade Company in Biratnagar and the Central Office in Kathmandu, the supply of rice has not been replenished—even during the festive season.

Bhote added that the closure of the Kimathanka border transit point, caused by a landslide in China, has exacerbated the problem for the people of Bhotkhola. Many residents of the rural municipality rely on Chinese border markets for daily necessities, including food.

Vehicular movement at the border has been halted since September 28 due to the landslide in Changa, China. The annual quota for rice distribution stands at 1,500 quintals for the district headquarters, Khandbari, and 500 quintals for Bhotkhola in the northern region.