The world had hoped for the success of the US-Iran talks that began in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Saturday. But the talks that lasted 21 hours ended without an agreement. The war between the US, Israel and Iran, which had lasted for 40 days, was suspended for two weeks on March 25 after Pakistan's mediation, and the failure of Saturday's talks has increased fears that it will resume.

Such fears have spread not only to the people of countries directly linked to the war, but also to the people of Nepal, which has nothing to do with the war. Because, Nepali citizens have been directly affected by Iran's retaliatory attacks on countries around them where American troops are stationed in response to the US-Israeli attacks. On the other hand, the impact of the fuel crisis that has increased worldwide and the resulting price hike has been felt on Nepali streets and kitchens. Since the failure of the Islamabad talks will deepen the effects of the war, the Nepali government's citizen-friendly initiative is inevitable.

Many countries are facing fuel shortages after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Prices are rising due to the shortage. In Nepal too, prices have been increased for the fourth time in a month. On Falgun 16, the price of petrol and diesel was Rs 157 and Rs 142 per liter, respectively. The price of cooking gas was Rs 1910. On Chaitra 1, the price of petrol and diesel reached Rs 172 and Rs 152, respectively. Similarly, on Chaitra 11, it reached Rs 187 and Rs 167. On Chaitra 19, it reached Rs 202 and Rs 182. On Chaitra 26, it reached Rs 219 and Rs 207.

On Chaitra 26, the price of gas also increased, reaching Rs 2010. On Falgun 16, the price of kerosene was Rs 142 per liter. On Chaitra 26, it reached Rs 207. The price of aviation fuel has also increased in a similar way. The transportation of goods in Nepal is almost entirely dependent on diesel-powered vehicles. Even in public transport, diesel-powered vehicles are the dominant vehicle. A large number of private vehicle users depend on petrol. However, the increase in the price of petrol and diesel has increased transportation and travel expenses. This has also played a role in increasing the prices of other goods.

Recently, vehicle fares and air fares have increased. Not only the expenses outside the home, but also the expenses inside the home have increased. Because, the price of cooking gas has increased. In addition, the price of food has also increased. For example, on 15 Falgun, the price of sunflower oil was 275 rupees per liter. On 15 Chaitra, it has reached 295. Similarly, the price of long grain basmati rice has increased from 175 rupees per kilogram to 180.

Rahar dal has increased from 200 rupees to 220. The monthly report of Nepal Rastra Bank also shows that the inflation of the food and beverage group has reached 3.60 percent in Falgun, which was 2.50 percent in Magh. Along with the increase in fuel prices, the price of food is also increasing. This is sure to affect families living in urban areas, especially those who have to meet household expenses with a small income. Citizens living in other areas are also having to deal with the increase in prices.

The impact of the war has also affected Nepal's industrial sector. There has been a situation of increasing costs and decreasing production. Due to the shortage of plastic 'grains', plastic-making industries have come to the point of closure. Imports of raw materials for soybean and sunflower oil have also been affected. Similarly, with global price increases, supply routes disrupted, and the agreement with India ending, the risk of a major shortage of fertilizers in Nepal has increased. As a result, production is expected to decrease and food prices to rise.

Income from foreign employment, which has helped many Nepali families spend on health, education, nutrition, and other sectors, is also decreasing. In Magh alone, remittances of Rs 198 billion were received, but only Rs 188 billion were received in Falgun. It is expected to decrease further in the coming days. At this time of rising inflation, if the amount sent by members who have gone abroad for employment decreases, many families may face additional financial difficulties.

To reduce the impact of fuel shortage and price increases, the government has decided to give two days off a week, Saturday and Sunday, in government offices and educational institutions. This has added to the difficulties in health services. It is also expected that the crowding in government hospitals will increase. The issue of getting a surgery date or having surgery on the date already received has become more confusing. There is growing doubt that the academic session will be completed after the school was closed for two days. The main impact of shortages and price increases is certain to increase geometrically. 

Even if the government decides to give a two-day holiday, it is doubtful that it will yield effective results. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to provide relief to the citizens from the limited options available to the government. The government should assure that it is with the citizens. For that, the government can bring tax exemption schemes to reduce price increases. It can buy food products that may be in short supply and may increase in price in large quantities and keep them in stock and maintain a balance in prices.

It can also promote import substitution programs. Companies that produce goods that are needed in Nepal can be helped to produce more through packages such as customs exemptions/grants/concessions, loans/tax exemptions. Which will balance prices and support import substitution. To prevent the situation where unprocessed goods and food products are easily exported and processed and imported at higher prices, it can become stricter on informal exports.