Kathmandu, Feb. 17 -- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday said that he has directed private dairies to settle the outstanding dues to farmers, an issue that has remained unresolved for the past two years.

However, private dairies argue they are facing a dairy recession, a situation never seen before, and cannot pay farmers even after the prime minister's ruling. Months ago, private dairies sought a loan from the government, but this was rejected outright.

Responding to questions in Parliament, the prime minister told lawmakers that the state-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) has cleared dairy farmers' dues up to mid-September last year, amounting to Rs2.4 billion.

"The remaining payments will be cleared gradually. The proces...