Even during the Dasain holidays, vegetables and fruits were brought in at the Kalimati vegetable market. But only in one day, the obstruction on the highway has not touched the market price.
What you should know
Due to the monsoon rains, the entry point to Kathmandu was closed for only one day. Around 6 tons of vegetables and fruits were brought in to the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee when various highways were blocked due to heavy rain on Saturday.
Although there was a general disruption in imports on Saturday, 312 tons of fruits and vegetables were imported on Friday (October 18) and 216 tons of fruits and vegetables on Thursday (October 17). Although Dasain was a public holiday, the import of vegetables and fruits was not stopped.
According to the committee's data, 1 thousand 973 tons of vegetables and fruits were imported in a week. Binay Shrestha, information officer of the committee, says that the imported quantity does not increase the price in the market as most people leave the valley and go to the district during Dasain. He claims that there is no price increase in the Kalimati wholesale market. But as he said in the market, the prices of vegetables and fruits are not under control.
On a normal day, up to 700 tons of vegetables should be brought in to the Kalimati market. There is no shortage of 2/300 tons of vegetables and fruits when millions of people go to the district during the festival. It should also not increase the price. But due to the closure of the highway on Saturday, the prices of vegetables and fruits in the retail market could not be touched. One day, the price of green vegetables suddenly increased due to the obstruction on the highway.
"Whatever vegetable you buy, it costs more than 100 rupees per kilo. The retailers claim that they had to increase the prices due to the closure of the highway and no vegetables," said Madhav Timilsina, President of the Consumer Rights Research Forum, "There is no point in this. Because the prices of vegetables that arrived before Dasain, i.e. during the monsoon disaster, have been increased. But at this time, the presence of the government was not seen in price control.'
Vegetables are brought into the valley from Dhading, Nuwakot, Kavre, Chitwan, Makwanpur and Terai districts. Vegetables are also imported from India. On Saturday, there was some disruption in the vegetables coming from this district. But the businessman covered this opportunity and made the price untouchable. 
'During the crisis, the middleman found an excuse to increase the price. The government sat watching Ramita," said Timilsina, "The responsibility of controlling and monitoring the market price is the responsibility of the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection and the local level. Both these bodies became irresponsible and consumers were badly cheated. He said that if the Department of Commerce can set the market level, the price will be controlled to a large extent. Shrestha, information officer of the
committee, also said that there is no need to increase retail prices. Due to the closure of the highway on Saturday, there was not enough vegetables. But there was no condition to go to the market and buy vegetables. Even the goods of the traders were not sold much," said Shrestha, "Even though the highway was closed, there were still some people coming from the surrounding area. There is no difference in the wholesale price.'
The vegetables brought in at the Kalimati fruit and vegetable market meet about 75 percent of the valley's demand. The rest, Balkhu, Balaju, Tukucha, Koteshwar, Chabahil and other vegetable markets have been growing. He said that because the consumption is also less during Dasain, the import is also less in comparison. But he claims that the price has not increased in wholesale.
Although the Balkhu vegetable market is flooded, the Kalimati vegetable market is safe. There were also stock items in bulk, so there is no possibility of an immediate price increase," Shrestha said, "It is wrong to increase the price excessively in the retail market. Surveillance is essential in retail. It has doubled in the neighborhood. How can it not increase in wholesale, but increase in retail?'
Earlier, a report was published in the monitoring carried out by the Department of Commerce that retail prices vary from store to store. One type of middleman collects from the farmer, another brings it to the wholesale market, and even the retail store itself does not go to the wholesaler and brings it by vehicle. Thus, when there are different levels, the price is also determined arbitrarily. There is also no consistency in the shutter fares of
businessmen. Due to which they charge high prices from consumers. During the calamity, they increase the price of vegetables and fruits by taking advantage of the opportunity. As the prices are increasing in the market, the director general and information officer of the department of commerce, supply and consumer protection, the regulatory body, have switched off mobile phones. No
market monitoring. As a result, the morale of middlemen and businessmen is increasing, experts say. On the other hand, the information officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ravindra Acharya, said that a letter has been sent to all the chief district officers asking them to stop price increase, black market and adulteration of food items during festivals and calamities.
