In the wake of closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway the prices of essential commodities including meat and poultry in Kashmir have gone up.
Several consumers complained that the unscrupulousshopkeepers taking undue advantage of the highway closure were resorting toprofiteering.
Fahmida, a homemaker from Dargah said authorities must takestrict action against profiteers. “I purchased mutton for Rs 550 a kg. This isopen loot that too in the month of holy Ramadan.”
Inhabitants of Rainawari, Qamarwari, HMT, Sanat Nagar,Barzulla and several other areas complained that the rates of chicken andmutton have become unaffordable.
The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) recentlyfixed Rs 150 rate per kilogram for chicken. “At Jawahar Nagar the chicken is being sold for Rs 160 per kg while atBagh-e-Mehtab it is at Rs 160- Rs 170,” consumers complained.
“The vegetables such as tomatoes and peas that were sold atRs 30 – Rs 40 two weeks ago are now available at Rs 70 – Rs 80 in most ofuptown and downtown markets of Srinagar,” they said.
However, the traders said the prices of vegetables willstabilize once local production comes in the market.
People from various district headquarters also complainedoverpricing.
CAPD officials said its enforcement wings with the help ofthe police “are imposing penalties on erring traders.”
However, the consumers are not satisfied. “The officials conduct market checking onlyfor photo-opportunities or when there is a festival approaching. Even thetraders who are fined, recover it from the customers by overpricing the goods,”said Farooq Ahmad, a consumer.
When contacted, director CAPD, Muhammad QasimWani said thatfine worth Rs 2 lakh was imposed on erring shopkeepers across the Valley onSaturday.
He said the market checking teams were making frequentsurprise visits/checks.
“People must be cooperative and inform us on our hotlinenumber, whenever they are being overcharged. We are making all efforts toensure that people are not overcharged,” he said.