In the past few weeks, prices of green vegetables have gone up and up in the Kathmandu Valley. Consumers are forced to pay heavily to buy vegetables, and some can hardly afford them anymore.

One consumer stated she has not purchased tomatoes, after a kilo of it was priced Rs 100 (€0.72). “Even cabbage costs Rs 70 per kg, and you don’t get anything for less than Rs 100 per kg.”

It was reported that prices are soaring at a time when people have lost their incomes due to the pandemic as authorities have enforced a shutdown. Traders are hiking the prices of vegetables, fruits and essential food items when the city is in the grip of Covid-19. Consumers say the authorities are doing nothing to rein in the prices.

After much public criticism, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced its plan to monitor the market but consumer rights groups don’t readily believe the authorities will be able to bring down the prices.

Municipal market inspection committee chief Hari Prabha Khadgi, the deputy mayor, announced: “We are working with all stakeholders to carry out an inspection.”