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Cumin prices have soared threefold in just one year. A year ago, the popular spice variety in Nepali kitchens could be bought for a mere Rs 450 per kg. But today, cumin seeds are commanding prices ranging from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,400 per kg.

This sharp increase in prices has had a notable impact on sales. “Customers are questioning the abrupt price surge, and we too are left puzzled by the phenomenon. Cumin seed sales have plummeted by 50 percent in recent months,” lamented Shobha Sanjel, owner of Sanjel Spice Shop in Thapathali. “Those who used to purchase a kilogram earlier are now opting for just half a kilogram.”

Cumin isn’t the only spice experiencing a price surge. The price of black pepper has also gone up by Rs 700 per kilogram within a year.

The escalating prices are not limited to spices, as virtually every food and non-food commodity has experienced a surge. Inflation surged to 7.74 percent for the fiscal year 2022/23, exceeding the central bank’s initial target of 7 percent. This is a significant increase compared to the 6.32 percent inflation rate in 2021/22. The primary reasons behind this price surge are the rising global prices and the depreciation of the Nepali rupee against the US dollar. The central bank expects prices to stabilize once domestic demand decreases, as retail prices are dropping in India.

Comparing the fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23, prices within the restaurant and hotel sub-group of the food and beverages category surged by 14.42 percent, spices by 12.50 percent, food and food products by 10.70 percent, tobacco products by 9.88 percent, and dairy products and eggs by 9.23 percent. Similarly, within the non-food and services category, prices in the transport sub-group surged by 13.50 percent, entertainment and culture by 10.18 percent, health by 10.01 percent, education by 8.79 percent, and household goods by 8.65 percent.

According to the Nepal Retailers’ Association, the price of cumin seeds has spiked by 150 percent in just one year. Prices of sesame seeds, soybeans, lentils, beaten rice, grams, corn, rice, rice flour, groundnuts, kidney beans, peas, white flour, coriander seeds, ajwain, and ghee have all experienced increases, resulting in an average 22 percent surge in food commodity prices.

Edible oil prices skyrocketed to as much as Rs 340 per liter, representing an almost 80 percent increase. The price, however, has started to fall in recent months.

Vegetable prices have also surged, with some unseasonal and seasonal vegetables experiencing rapid price hikes. Out of the 84 types of vegetables recorded by the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Committee, 70 have witnessed significant price increases, with some surging by as much as 100 percent. Price fluctuations in retail markets have been even more pronounced.

Even seasonal vegetables such as cucumbers, okra, long beans, bitter gourd, radishes, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, capsicum, and tomatoes have seen substantial price increases. For example, brinjal is now retailing at Rs 76 per kilogram, compared to just Rs 12 per kilogram at the same time last year.

Binaya Shrestha, information officer of the committee, attributed the price fluctuations to the rainy season and increased import costs. “Although this happens to be a prime season for vegetable production, supply disruptions caused by heavy rains and landslides have driven prices up. Inclement weather has also led to crop damage in many regions,” he explained. Shrestha does not anticipate significant price decreases before the Dashain-Tihar festive season.

Officials from the Nepal Retailers Association say that ordinary consumers are bearing the brunt of the factors that are causing prices to go up. “As retailers, we can do nothing. When our procurement costs rise; we are compelled to raise prices,” they lamented. “Some unscrupulous traders may have inflated prices for goods already in their inventory.”

Naresh Katuwal, an importer, stated that rising procurement costs are behind the surge in food prices. “The government has increased customs duties on most commodities, and we also have to pay fees to local authorities. Transportation costs have also risen, as have bank rates,” he added.

Since all these expenses are passed on to consumers, they are the ones experiencing the impact. Although the Consumer Protection Act caps profit margins at 20 percent, this regulation is not enforced effectively. Consumer rights activists argue that the government should play a more active role in monitoring and determining traders' procurement and selling costs rather than merely observing from the sidelines.

Madhav Timilsina, President of the Consumer Rights Protection Forum, contends that prices for all kinds of goods have increased. “No matter how much we talk about the governments’ efforts to control black-marketeering, the scope of monitoring and regulation has not expanded. With major festivals approaching, the government should enhance market monitoring and ensure that essential commodities are not in short supply,” he urged. Timilsina also called on the government to take diplomatic initiatives to facilitate the supply of food items subject to export bans in India.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Ramesh Rijal,  asserted that strict monitoring by the department has helped control black-marketeering to some extent. However, he argued that the market prices reflect the reality of supply being outstripped by demand. “During festivals, when demand is high and markets are crowded, businesses may increase prices somewhat. However, the government is actively working to curb black-market practices,” he assured during an interaction with journalists.

Press Council Nepal Chairman Bal Krishna Basnet has said that the media should enhance its role and presentation with the increasing use of social media sites. He suggested the media to pay attention for the same.

Saying that the materials posted by the individual are spreading confusion, he was of the opinion that the media should be aware of this and should do trustworthy journalism.

“Let’s not get anyone confused. All the issues posted in social media are not news. But those issues are spreading confusion among the people. The media should remove such confusion through their factual and credible presentations,” Chairman Basnet said during a program organized to give orientation to the editors and publishers of the newly opened online media portals at the office of the Council.

He further said the council has also been taking action against online media portals who have been making news by stealing contents or materials from others by going against the values of journalism.

Former acting chairman of the Council Gopal Budhathoki and Nepal Television news Chief Pushpa Hari Kyampa Rai highlighted the challenges brought by the digital media and the issues that the media should pay attention to.

Duhabi Municipality of Sunsari district has handed over residential homes to the Dalit, marginalized and destitute community.

Eighty households were provided the homes constructed in over two bighas of land at the cost of Rs 70 million.

Municipality mayor Bed Narayan Gachchhadar said that the homes made under 'Mayor-residence project' were distributed to the poor households on Monday.

Each house has the facilities of drinking water, toilet and electricity. Even a community building is made for the households where they can conduct traditional rituals such as marriage and tonsure ceremonies.

For the handover of the homes, the municipality picked 80 from among 200 applications it received for it. Remaining applicants would be provided similar residential homes in near future, according to Mayor Gachchhadar.

The local government is planning to manage the schooling free of cost to the children of poor families which got homes.

Similarly, the guardians will be provided skill-oriented training to foster self-employment.

Meanwhile, the municipality has said it was continuously monitoring the encroachment upon public spaces and settlement of squatter dwellers.

If any squatter dweller is found having his/her own home, he/she would be taken action, the municipality warned.

The Birgunj Metropolitan City has decided to close the schools after 2 pm on Monday to see the match between Nepal and India.

The match between Nepal and India under the Asia Cup will start from 2: 45 pm at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Issuing a notice on Monday, the Education Department of the Metropolitan City has decided to close all the public and private schools after 2 pm.

The Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City of Madhes Province has already decided to close all the schools after 2 pm to see the match.

Today’s match is considered very important for Nepal and India.

The senior teams of Nepal and India are facing each other for the first time.

After playing international cricket for almost three decades, Nepal's senior team is playing against cricket superpower India today.