RABIA NOOR

Srinagar, Apr 2: In flagrant violation to the rules, the retail mutton dealers in the Valley have hiked the meat rate to Rs 220/kg against the government approved Rs 180.
Many consumers told Greater Kashmir that with authorities sleeping over the matter, the mutton dealers were fleecing the consumers by charging the higher rates.
“The consumers are being taken for a ride by the butchers. Previously, they arbitrarily increased the rates by Rs 20 to Rs 200, and now they have gone for another hike of Rs 20,” said Ghulam Muhammad Lala of Sheher-i-Khaas.
“It’s ultimately poor consumer who suffer,” said Muhammad Shafi Wani, a consumer, adding that the prices had increased mainly during past three months.
Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Mehraj-ud-din said the government had fixed rate of mutton at Rs 160 per kg for wholesalers and Rs 180 per kg (without offal) for retailers. “However, it has been brought into our notice that many mutton sellers are selling meat at higher rates,” he acknowledged.
He, however, said whenever the department received complaint against any seller, “we are sending our squads to the spot.”
He said four enforcement teams of the CAPD, headed by deputy director, had constantly been checking the markets in the Srinagar city.
“We have already taken action against many mutton sellers for charging exorbitant rates. Every day our teams go for inspection and every day we book such people,” Mehraj-ud-din said.
“During past three months, we have collected Rs 12 lakh as fine from the sellers who violate the norms. Last week our enforcement teams cancelled the license of three wholesale dealers and suspended them and registered FIR against three retailers,” he said.
CAPD director appealed to the consumers to cooperate with the department. “We have been trying hard to stabilize the prices, but for that we need support from the people. If any butcher is selling meat at more than Rs 180, the consumer should immediately go to the police station, lodge FIR against him, for this is an offence,” he said.
“They can even complaint at our helpline and bring the matter into our notice,” he added.
Consumers however complained that every other food item had witnessed 50 per cent price increase during past some time, “be it the vegetables, food grains, sugar, butter, ghee or anything else.”
“The CAPD is supposed to take action against every dealer or trader who over-charges from the consumers. Taking a symbolic action against a one or two dealers here and there won’t do. If the department is really serious to arrest the menace of over charging, it has to act stringently against the profiteers, which of course is its duty,” said Nazir Ahmad, a consumer.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST