Srinagar,  Aug 14: With Kashmir gearing for Eid festival, the prices of essential  commodities has soared as a result giving tough time to local populace. 
 Locals allege that it has been a regular phenomenon that whenever any festive occasion is inching closer, prices of essential commodities and other items go up as a result inflicting extra burden on pockets of locals
 “Government has fixed a price of chicken per Kg at Rs 92, but in market nowhere chickens are available at the fixed rate as per the government rate list. If the authorities are not able to regulate rates then why they issue rate lists,” Manzoor Ahmad, a local questioned.
 Also the prices of vegetables have gone up as a result putting extra burden on the consumers, “Prices of vegetables and fruits have gone up all of a sudden at the time of Eid,” consumers complain.
 While vegetable dealers blame dry weather  for upsurge in prices of vegetables. “Due to sweltering weather and inadequate rain, our local production of vegetables has decreased and we are mostly now depended on imports,” Muhammad Maqbool, vegetable dealer said.
 He attributed the rise in prices of vegetables to gap in demand and supply. “When your own production is low and it results in extra demand of imported items, as a result of it puts inflationary pressure.”
 CAPD speaks
 Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Shafkat Iqbal said: “We have formed enforcement wings; usually we have zone wise teams, but to enforce government prices and check that shopkeepers strictly adhere to rate lists, we have further devised three teams in a zone to strictly maintain price lists.” 
 “CAPD have cancelled holidays of its field staff in view of Shab-i-Qadar, Jammat ul vida and Eid ul Fitr. Today also our enforcement wings of the department conducted market checks at various places like Kak Saria , Safakadal , Batmallo , Rambagh , Saria Bala , Maharaj Gunj  , Hari Singh High street ,Natipora  and penalized erring traders who were found violating rate lists or not displaying rate list at their respective trading places,” Iqbal said.
 On Chicken prices, he said CAPD has fixed price of chicken/Kg at Rs 92/Kg. “If anyone is found violating the prescribed rate list and selling birds at exorbitant rates, he should be severely penalized and dealt according to law.” 
 On vegetable prices, Iqbal added that there is no gap demand and supply. “If anybody has any complaints regarding the prices of commodities they should fell free to contact us. “
 SMC says
 Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr G N Qasba told Greater Kashmir that we have formed special teams to check food quality in the Srinagar city.
 “We have formed special teams to ensure food quality in the city which is headed by Health officer of SMC. Currently there are nine such squads who check and inspect different markets during these days,” Qasba said. 
  He said adding that in last few days we have destroyed lakhs of rotten eggs that were to be used in manufacturing of bakery products. “We will further intensify market checks and will ensure food quality in city markets,” Qasba assured. 

Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST