May 2: The government has taken the initiative to make the supply management system effective during the ongoing prohibition period.

A meeting of government officials and umbrella organizations of private sector entrepreneurs chaired by Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Lekhraj Bhat on Friday decided to facilitate the supply of essential consumer goods and pharmaceutical products.

The ministry has decided to facilitate the production and supply of such goods and services as the number of districts going through prohibitory order is growing with the rising cases of Covid-19. The government has already imposed prohibitory orders in more than two dozen districts, including the Kathmandu Valley, to control Covid-19 from spreading.

The ministry has formed a mechanism to immediately address the obstruction of essential services and goods.  Narayan Prasad Regmi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, informed that the government is taking effective measures to provide medicines, oxygen, oxygen cylinders, and masks at affordable prices.

A press statement released by the ministry says that the government will coordinate with umbrella organization of industrialists to ensure smooth supply of essential goods and services and raw materials.

The Rapid Response Team will be informed about the problems faced by the entrepreneurs during the prohibitory period.

The ministry has set up a five-member team which includes officials from the concerned ministries to facilitate the supply of food and daily necessities during the ongoing restriction. The ministry has made necessary arrangements to transport daily essentials and services easily during the prohibitory period.

Industries manufacturing essential commodities have been ensured of smooth operation and transportation facility. Arrangements have been made to allow staffers of such industries to operate vehicles by showing their identity cards.

The ministry informed that the vehicles can be operated by placing banners in front of the vehicles and by following the health safety standards.

The workers will be facilitated for the movement on the basis of the official identity card of the industry.

The press release further says that the industries should mobilize minimum manpower following strict health security measures. The local administration will have to be informed about the operation of industry and businesses.