FMTCL selling essentials online

-Ramesh Lamsal

The Food Management and Trading Company Ltd. (FMTCL) has started selling daily essentials online from Wednesday. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta had directed the state-owned company to digitalize itself to facilitate supply of essentials as the entire country is under lockdown over coronavirus.

The company provides online service within the Kathmandu Valley, and is planning to expand outside the Valley, according Secretary at the Ministry Dr Baikuntha Aryal.

Consumers can place buy orders by logging in its website, http://nfc.com.np. They are required to provide their contact to receive their orders and they can make payments in cash or online. The Company has free home delivery facility during lockdown, said Dr Aryal. For additional information, one can contact at 01-4246389 or 9848444944.

Essentials worth Rs 2,000 are supplied at present, and orders would be filled within two days, he said.

The company had 7,300 electric ovens for sale and most of them have been sold out, said the company, adding that it was planning to purchase additional electric ovens to address its increasing demand. Approximately 10,000 electric ovens are required to meet its demand.

Meanwhile, the Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection Department slapped Rs 200,000 on a trader for selling chicken overpriced. Muskan meat shop at Bijayanagar in Kathmandu Metropolitan City was found selling chicken overprices during a market monitoring, said the Department.

The Department has asked consumers to call at toll free number 16600133044 or 1137 for complaints.

Minister Bhatta said market monitoring would continue to check the black market and facilitate smooth supply of essentials.