Finance Ministry to Expedite Payment of Dues to Dairy Farmers

In a bid to address the long-standing concerns of dairy farmers, the Ministry of Finance has undertaken decisive steps to promptly settle their pending dues. Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has instructed senior officials of the ministry, including Revenue Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, to expedite the process of disbursing payments to the aggrieved dairy farmers, as confirmed by the Finance Minister’s Secretariat.

Minister Pun convened discussions with Agriculture Minister Jwala Kumari Saha, Agriculture Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, and Livestock Development Secretary Dr. Rewati Raman Poudel prior to issuing the directive, underlining the government’s commitment to resolving the issue at hand.

The agitation by dairy farmers, ongoing for several months, stems from their grievances over unpaid dues for their milk supply. The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) had formally requested the Ministry of Finance to allocate the necessary funds to settle these outstanding payments.

“The state cannot remain indifferent to the plight of our farmers, who continue to suffer due to delayed payments for their produce. We are committed to ensuring that their dues are settled promptly, either today or no later than Sunday,” Minister Pun affirmed while issuing the directive. He further clarified that the Finance Ministry would not withhold payments owed to construction entrepreneurs, emphasizing equitable treatment across sectors.

Minister Pun has directed the Agriculture Minister and concerned secretaries to allocate the requisite budgetary provisions for this purpose, underscoring the government’s prioritization of agricultural welfare.

Revenue Secretary Dr. Ghimire reiterated the Finance Minister’s unequivocal directives to expedite payments to dairy farmers, assuring a phased approach to clearing the outstanding dues and easing the financial burden on the affected farmers.