Tensions ran high at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market yesterday after a group of vegetable dealers manhandled members of a government team that was on an inspection tour, looking into widespread concerns over hefty rises in vegetable prices.
Vegetable traders said prices had jumped disproportionately due to a reduction in direct sales from producers to consumers and the growing involvement of middlemen in the trade. As the middlemen enjoy high-profit margins, consumers are forced to bear the brunt, they said.
The police detained Bharat Prasad Khatiwada, general secretary of the Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Entrepreneurs, Nepal, and vegetable trader Bimal Dhungana on the charge of manhandling government officials.
According to kathmandupost.ekantipur.com, during a market inspection last year, the department team had found the traders manipulating the vegetable prices.
