Kathmandu, Jan. 25: Minister of State for Information and Communications Govinda Bahadur Shaha has said that though four depots in Karnali zone have been removed, the government is alert to see to it that there would be no food shortage in the region.

Assuring the people that they would not face food scarcity as in the previous year, Mr Shaha noted that if such situation arises, the government will take foodgrain to the region as early as possible.

The present government is considering bringing about a package programme aimed at uplifting backward communities and removing illiteracy, hunger and diseases, said the Minister of State Shaha adding, Rs 250 million has been appropriated for the Karnali highway and the people should be able to take care of it once the highway gets completed.

Observing that Karnali zone has the potentials of becoming a tourist spot but what we need is far-sighted approach, he spoke of the need to publicize herbs found in the zone and provide alternative resources by encouraging agricultural produce which can be grown locally.

Mr Shaha was speaking at a day-long interaction on foodgrain in Karnali, removal of food depots and alternative arrangement held by Karnali Integrated Rural Development Research Centre here today.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (pac) Subhas Chandra Nemwang stressed that government should solicit opinions from people’s representatives while taking decisions on matters of public concern, adding, the pac has already directed the committee to reconsider its decision.

MP Prem Bahadur Singh accused the government of taking a wrong decision for removing the depots.

Former speaker Damannath Dhungana observed that what we did in the past 10 years should be put to evaluation and it is not a good thing for reducing facilities given to the people.

Secretary at the Ministry of Supplies Padmakumar Acharya and Kalikot DDC chairman Dip Bahadur Shahi also expressed their views at the function chaired by centre’s chairman Min Bahadur Shahi.