Kathmandu, Jan. 4 -- The gap between wholesale and retail prices of vegetables has been widening, with consumers bearing the brunt of weak market monitoring and inspection.

Market insiders say the government has failed in its responsibility-particularly of regulating markets-allowing middlemen and retailers to rake in profits. While wholesale prices at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market have fallen for most vegetables, retail prices have refused to come down proportionately.

For instance, the wholesale price of local and Tarai cabbage at Kalimati has dropped by around 40 percent. On Friday, local cabbage was priced at Rs40 per kg and Tarai cabbage at Rs30 per kg. In retail markets, however, cabbage was selling for Rs90 to Rs100 pe...