Dolakha locals are angry at the sub-standard food sent by the World Food Program under the Food-for-Work scheme. We cannot be treated like animals, says a Thami woman. We have been exploited. This matter has to be investigated.

More than 60 groups from several VDCs had worked at constructing a 2km road under the exchange program. The food arrived not only two months late, but was also rotten, complain the workers. Authorities had delayed the delivery of the sacks of rice by saying that they had to undergo lab tests. How dare they give us this after taking so long with their lab tests? asks a local who was among the few that had lodged a complaint with the District Administration Officer.

Locals suspect foul play, saying the officials involved in the transaction must have siphoned off the good rice. They say the rice is rotten and tastes bitter. Chairman of the Road Construction Committee Norsang Sherpa admits the quality of rice is lower than what was promised.

There is a discrepancy even in the amount that was handed to the villagers?it arrived with 1,000kg less than the agreed upon 35,000. Rural Community Infrastructure Development Dolakha Unit chief Damodar Pangeni admits that the rice is substandard quality, but argues that it is edible as proven by lab tests and therefore cannot be returned.