Consumer right activists asked the government to check the price of rice before the festivals.

Submitting a memorandum to commerce minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa here today, National Consumer Forum said that the price of rice has increased by five per cent to 10 per cent. “The hike in price of essential foods like rice before the festivities will create difficulty for the people,” said president of the Consumer Forum Prem Lal Maharjan.
Likewise, the government to discourage rice import has increased customs duty from five to eight per cent in the budget fo the current fiscal year 2014-15.
Rise in customs has also affected the market price of rice, he said, adding that the price of rice has also increased by Indian Rs 1 in the Indian market.

Suggesting to reduce the customs in rice imports, Forum said that the government should also take stock of current year’s rice plantation.

The Forum also submitted the memorandum to the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

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