MOHAN SHAHI, OCT 24 - Market prices have increased by over 100 percent in hill districts of the Far-Western region, thanks to delay in the maintenance of rural roads and mule tracks.

“We have to pay double the normal price for goods after rains and landslides rendered roads linking

hill districts with the Tarai inoperable,” says Padamdhan Bhatta of BP Nagar, Doti.

Traders are in trouble too. As landslides have caused damage to mule tracks, they can no longer bring goods using the beasts of burden.

“That leaves us with no option but to employ porters for transporting goods. And the porters charge high wages,” says a BP Nagar-based shopkeeper, explaining the reason behind the price hike.

The trader says he has been paying Rs. 12 to bring a kilogramme of foodstuffs to his shop, while in the past it used to cost him two rupees to bring the same through road. The soaring prices have taken their toll on people's purchasing power.

“In recent days, people have stopped buying goods save the essentials,” observes Padam Bohara, another shopkeeper.

One kilogramme of salt costs four times more in Martadi, the district headquarters of Bajura, compared to Dhangadhi of Kailali district.

Shopkeeper Harishankar Budha of Martadi says, “One has to spend Rs. 26 to bring one kilogramme of salt that costs seven rupees in Dhangadhi.”

While the road tracks connecting the district headquarters of Doti, Dadeldhura and Baitadi were repaired last week, the roads connecting Achham, Bajura and Bajhang districts are still awaiting main-

tenance.

What has delayed repair and maintenance? Engineer at the Road Division Office Dipayal Suresh Poudel has the answer: Lack of funds.

“Reducing prices is impossible unless traders are able to bring goods through vehicles and mules,” says Birendra Shah, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Doti.

“The monitoring committee is yet to estimate details of the loss that recent disasters caused. We will think over measures to be taken once the committee submits its report,” Chief District Officer of Doti Bhawani Prasad Parajuli replies, responding to grievances that the government has not taken initiatives to control the skyrocketing prices.

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