Dhangadhi, October 2

The unofficial blockade imposed by India has hit the vegetable markets in Kailali hard. As the blockade entered the seventh day on Friday, prices of vegetables have gone up in Dhangadhi and elsewhere in the district.

While the price of onion has climbed to Rs 120 from Rs 110 per kg in the past one week, prices of tomatoes and potatoes have also increased from Rs 60 to Rs 70 and Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg respectively.

“As the vegetables markets here rely solely on the imports from India, the blockade has not only caused increment in prices but also created shortage,” said a local vegetable trader Chand Chaudhary.

According to him, barely a truck enters Nepal these days, whereas as many as 10 trucks loaded with vegetables entered Nepal from India before the blockade.

Nepal Consumer Forum Kailali Chairperson Hari Regmi rued the ongoing black marketing of vegetables in the name of shortage.

Kailali Chief District Officer Mohan Chapagain pledged to take action against the persons involved in pushing up the vegetable prices.