KATHMANDU: The continuing hike in food and commodity prices is becoming a severe concern for not just consumers but also for the concerned authorities.

Major concerns surrounding the prices of salt, sugar and gas have been in the spotlight for the past few months; more alarming is the unavailability of sugar and gas even though the prices have gone up.

“What is embarrassing is that though the prices have been stipulated by the government, people are selling hoarded products at hiked rates,” said Pabitra Bajracharya, president of Retailers’ Association.

According to Bajracharya, though the Salt Trading Corporation and National Trading Corporation have surplus stock they stopped selling sugar to retailers a long time back, and are making sales directly from their outlets.

According to the National Consumer Forum, though the price slated for sugar by the government has gone up from Rs 54 to Rs 61, the procuring price for consumers is anything between Rs 80 to Rs 100.

Salt is another necessity that has seen a rise in price. Previously it sold at Rs 12 per packet but now is selling at Rs 15. “This is a big concern for retailers, because by the time we actually buy it till the time we bring it to be sold, our cost price is around Rs 15. We don’t gain a penny’s profit on salt,” said Bajracharya. The price of salt was revised four years ago.

“We don’t want salt to go into short supply like sugar. This is the first time that the price of salt has been raised in nearly four years. Due to the porous border with India, it is difficult to keep a check on what comes into the country and what goes out. In order to systemize the flow of salt, its price had to be hiked,” added Kumar Rajbhandari, director of Salt Trading Corporation.