Kathmandu, April 22 :  Nepal Dairy Association (NDA) has said the milk vans have not been able to operate although the government has not prevented the operation of vehicles carrying essentials during the lockdown period.    
NDA general secretary Prahlad Dahal said 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.    
"We have not been provided with any permits. Every day, obstructions have been created to our friends and the milk delivery vans. A milk tanker coming to Kathmandu from Chitwan was stopped on the way and turned back. It is very difficult to run the dairy business with frequent hurdles in transporting milk and other dairy products," he complained.    
According to him, only 20 per cent of the total milk and milk products is being sold daily at present. Ghimire added 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. NDA said they 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.