Srinagar, Jan 31: As the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for the second consecutive day, the prices of essential food items including fruits and vegetables skyrocketed on Tuesday.
By selling commodities at exorbitant prices, the government-notified rate list is not being followed by shopkeepers and vendors selling perishables in Kashmir markets.
Consumers from several parts of Kashmir told Rising Kashmir that they were overcharged for eatables, especially vegetables and fruits. The consumers said both local and non-local vegetables, were being sold at prices much higher than the government fixed rates.
According to the rates of Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) issued last month, 1 kg of potato has to be sold at Rs 16, 1 kg of tomato for Rs 25, 1 kg of beans at Rs 30, 1 kg of Shimla Mirch Rs 40, carrot at Rs 20.
However, 1 kg potato is being sold at Rs 40, tomato for Rs 50, beans at Rs 50, carrot Rs 40 and there is also an increase in the prices of other vegetables from the past few days.
“I went to buy some vegetables from the market but the prices i saw the prices extremely high. The shopkeepers and vendors have increased the prices on their own,” said Irfana Zargar, a resident of Srinagar.
She also said that the prices of vegetables are even higher in the interiors of Srinagar. He said the vegetable has become unaffordable for the people with limited resources.
Zargar said there has been an increase in the price of locally grown vegetables in the past many days and she has even called the concerned authorities of FCS&CA.
Mudasir Ahmad, a resident of Pattan said the prices are often high when the highway closes and shopkeepers aren’t following rates list which is very unfortunate. “Govt. should wake up and take action against the erring shopkeepers and vendors. Poor people don’t afford vegetables these days,” he said.
Mohammad Asif from Bemina Srinagar said the price rise as an open loot. “There are no enforcement squads anywhere who would put checks and balances.”
Consumers also complained that the uncovered eatables and foods including chicken, fish and meat are sold under unhygienic condition.
Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department Kashmir, Abdul Salam Mir told Rising Kashmir that they are continuously checking the markets and holding drives.
“Our enforcement teams are on job. Whenever we receive complaints, we take action. We are intensifying the markets checking and those violating government norms will be dealt strictly,” he said.
