The government has authorized the Salt Trading Corporation (STC) and Food Management and Trading Company (FMTC) to import 30,000 metric tons of sugar with a 50 percent customs duty waiver to prevent sugar shortage in the upcoming festivals.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced that the Council of Ministers decided on Monday to grant the 50 percent duty exemption to STC and FMTC for importing 15,000 metric tons of sugar each.

Speaking at a press conference held at the ministry on Tuesday, Minister Gurung clarified that the decision to grant customs exemptions to the two state-owned companies aims to ensure a stable supply of sugar during the Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals.

The Cabinet meeting also recommended Chitralekha Yadav, a resident of Siraha, for the post of Resident Ambassador to Australia and Non-Resident Ambassador to Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Palau, Nauru, Marshall Islands, and the Kingdom of Tonga.

Additionally, the Council of Ministers extended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and SJVN Limited for the joint venture development of the Arun-IV hydropower project by one year, according to Minister Gurung, who also serves as the government spokesperson.

The meeting also authorized an organization and management (O&M) survey for the Ministry of Finance and its subordinate offices. The Cabinet also approved the Land Use (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2024, and endorsed the national report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for submission to the relevant United Nations Committee. -- RSS