Srinagar, Aug 18: Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, various markets in Srinagar wore a festive look on Saturday despite shoppers complaining of ‘increase in prices of essential commodities’. The Directorate of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, however, claimed that their checking squads “conducted market inspections to curb inflating rates of commodities.”
On Saturday different markets across the valley were flooded with shoppers. The busy markets of Residency Road, MA Road, Jamia Market and other small and big markets in Srinagar witnessed a huge rush of customers. In most of the markets, people were seen busy buying bakery, confectionary, dress material, kids wear and grocery. But the soaring prices of commodities left many customers high and dry.
Many shoppers, who spoke to Greater Kashmir¸ complained that prices of vegetables, fruits, mutton and other items have been ‘arbitrarily increased’ manifold by traders in view of Eid.
“The CAPD Department is doing nothing to curb this problem. The claims of having constituted market checking squads seem to have fallen flat because the traders have increased prices of commodities arbitrarily,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a customer at Lal Chowk.
Mutton is being sold at Rs 300 per kilogram against the prescribed rate of 280 per kg.
“Few days ago mutton dealers were selling meat at Rs 280 a kg. But today the same is being sold at Rs 300. And there is nobody to check this arbitrariness,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Ellahi Bagh.
Similar is the case with prices of chicken and vegetables. “Government has fixed price of chicken per kg at Rs 92. But in market chickens are either not available or are sold at high rates,” Ghulam Muhammad said.
When contacted the Deputy Director CAPD, Shafqat Iqbal, told Greater Kashmir that they deputed three checking squad to Srinagar markets today and recovered a fine of Rs 21,000 from erring traders for violating rate lists.
“I urge the people that if they find any trader or shopkeeper selling commodities at higher prices, they should contact us. We will take action against them,” he said. “It is very sad that we hardly receive any complaints when we conduct market checks. That time nobody complains about soaring prices.”
Meanwhile reports from various markets at district and tehsil level said people swarmed in large numbers to buy bakery, confectionary and other goods.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST