Milk consumption down to 20 per cent

KATHMANDU: Nepal Dairy Association (NDA) says the milk consumption in the country has currently come down to 20 per cent due to the lockdown.

NDA general secretary Prahlad Dahal said that the dairy industry has incurred losses of Rs 2 billion due to the lockdown and products worth Rs 5 billion was in stock.

Meanwhile, the dairy industries have started distributing milk free of cost after a slump in its sale due to the lockdown.

According to him, it has started providing milk free of cost rather than dumping it.

It is said milk is being distributed free at quarantine facilities and to the needy households, including the nursing mothers, in Budhanilkantha municipality of Kathmandu, at Damak of Jhapa and at Rupandehi.

Milk vans, he said, have not been able to operate although the government has not prevented the operation of vehicles carrying essentials during the lockdown period.

Except in Kathmandu, the milk vans have been prevented from operating in Chitwan, Butwal and Nepalgunj, among other cities.

He said they are facing obstruction in the operation of milk tankers and even in selling milk to shops.

Dahal informed that vehicles carrying milk have been stopped and the helpers also beaten in some instances at New Road, Koteshwor and other places in Kathmandu.