The prices of essential commodities especially the vegetables and the fruits have sharply increased in the holy month of Ramadan across south Kashmir with consumers blaming the enforcement agencies for failing to keep prices under control.
Prices of onion, potato, garlic, ginger, tomato and cucumberhave increased sharply, consumers complained.
They said the mutton, chicken and fish prices have alsoincreased.
A visit to several markets across Pulwama, Tral, Shopian,Anantnag, Awantipora and Kulgam, revealed that different commodities likechicken, vegetables and fruits are being sold much above the governmentnotified rates.
The tomatoes and cucumber are being sold at Rs 90 per kg inthe local markets here, which is almost Rs 40 higher than the earlier rates.
“It is unfortunate that the administration has failed tocontrol prices and act against the hoarders and black marketers,” Gulzar Ahmadof Shopian said.
He said the state government should put in place strictmeasures to check profiteering by unscrupulous traders.
However, the traders have a different story to tell. “Duringthis holy month, there is huge demand for the fruits. So naturally the priceswill go up as they dependent on the demand and supply,” said Ghulam Mohammad, afruit vendor at Murran Chowk Pulwama.
Consumers from Anantnag, and Kulgam said that meat is soldat Rs 500/kg, chicken at Rs 170/Kg and the rates of vegetables and fruits varyfrom shop to shop.
Director consumer affairs and public distribution (CAPD)Kashmir Mohammad Qasim Wani told Greater Kashmir that CAPD and the departmentsconcerned are continuously conducting raids wherever they receive thecomplaints from.
“We have collected a fine Rs 7.5 lakh from black marketersand will continue to do so in case we receive any complaints,” he said.