Nepal acts on currency shortage

Nepalis have been queuing at ATMs in hope of getting cash.

The authorities in Nepal say they will introduce measures to alleviate a shortage of bank notes in the country.

As a result of the shortage, banks have limited how much cash they dispense and some businesses have been unable to pay employees and suppliers.

The finance ministry says it will introduce old but flawed bank notes that were printed but never circulated.

The crisis threatens to disrupt the country as it celebrates its biggest annual festival, Dashain.

Increased demand for rupees during the religious festival has exacerbated the shortage.

Long queues were seen at ATMs across the capital.

The BBC's Joanna Jolly in Kathmandu says that although credit cards are readily available, most Nepalis rely on cash for everyday purchases.

Bank governors blame the crisis on a late consignment of new bank notes from France.

The French company contracted to print Nepalese rupee notes is two months late in delivering most of them, the Associated Press news agency reports.

The government has also said that it plans to airlift some of the late consignment to Nepal.

The finance ministry has formed a committee to investigate why the shortage happened, our correspondent says.

Many commentators suggest poor financial management since the end of Nepal's 10-year civil conflict has contributed to the shortfall.

Dashain is a 15-day Hindu festival marking the triumph of good over evil. During the annual festival Nepalis return to their home villages with gifts and foods for relatives.