According to Siddhi Gorkhali, office secretary at Nepal Retailers Association, the prices of food commodities have increased because of the rise in import and transport cost. Transportation cost has gone up by 10 percent recently with the hike in the price of diesel. [break]
Owing to these factors, the prices of lentils and beans have gone up by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg in the market. Prices of rice and beaten rice have also increased.
The data provided by the association shows that the price of Pokhreli rice has increased by Rs 5 per kg to Rs 60 per kg. Jira Masino rice too is now priced at Rs 65 per kg, while two weeks ago it was selling at Rs 60 per kg. Sawa Jira, another rice variety, has become expensive by Rs 10 per kg.
Likewise, Mansuli rice priced at Rs 50 two weeks ago now costs Rs 55 per kg. Indian Basmati rice has become dearer by Rs 8 per kg to Rs 88 per kg.
The price of beaten rice has also increased by Rs 5 per kg. Now the customers need to pay Rs 40, Rs 55 and Rs 80 for a kg of beaten rice, depending on quality.
Price of sugar has also increased in the local market by Rs 10 per kg. It is priced at Rs 80 per kg now.
"The prices of the food commodities have consistently gone up over the last few months. The government must monitor the market properly to discourage undue hikes,” said Sudhan Shrestha proprietor of Shrestha Store at Koteshwar.
Although the association claims the data compiled by it shows the actual pricing of food commodities in the market, Republica´s quick survey showed otherwise. Retailers in the different parts of the Valley were found charging varying rates for the same product.
"Customers will continue to be duped until the government steps up monitoring,"”said Shrestha.
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