Kathmandu, Aug. 3 -- Households across Nepal are struggling with a sharp rise in the cost of daily essentials, as the prices of rice, edible oil, pulses, vegetables and eggs continue to climb, stretching family budgets just months before the Dashain and Tihar festivals.

While traders attribute the increases to higher import costs, seasonal supply shortages and rising transport expenses, consumer rights advocates say weak market oversight has allowed unjustified price hikes to go unchecked. They argue that inadequate monitoring has created room for profiteering at a time when demand for essential goods traditionally begins to rise.

The increase in food prices comes as consumers are also grappling with an artificial shortage of cooking ga...