People here on Wednesday complained that prices of food items including vegetables and fruits have risen sharply in the ongoing holy month of Ramadhan, accusing the authorities of failing to keep check on the markets.
A resident of Dalgate here said few days ago, one kg oftomatoes was sold at Rs 30, one kg of onions for Rs 50 and one kg potatoes forRs 25.
“In a matter of few days the rates have more than doubled.There is no one from the government to ensure the shopkeepers and vendorsadhere to the government approved rates,” he said.
In view of the holy month of Ramdhan, the demand foressential commodities has increased with people preferring to have deliciousdishes at Sheri and Iftaar.
Most of the vegetable-sellers set-up their stalls onfootpaths and roadsides during evening hours, while as fruit vendors sell thefruits in interiors of different areas.
People said in absence of any regulation they sold thevegetables as well as fruits at exorbitant rates.
The complaints were also received from Mehjoor Nagar areawhere according to locals the vendors sell oranges at Rs 80 to Rs 120 per dozenwhile carrots are sold at Rs 60 to Rs 90 per kg.
Greater Kashmir received several calls from people from manyareas like Zainakadal, Habakadal, HMT, Dalgate, Nishat, Nowgam, Natipora,Chanapora, Sonwara, with people complaining about the exorbitant rates.
“I purchased one kg onion for Rs 30 at Sabzi Mandi but itwas sold at Rs 80 outside the Mandi,” said a local, Ghulam Qadir.
A woman from Dalgate said she had to dole out Rs 150 for onekg chicken. “The government has fixed Rs 110 rate for one kg chicken. Inabsence of checks by the authorities, chicken sellers have fixed their ownrates,” she said.
There are several government agencies responsible forchecking the menace of profiteering. One of the major departments which alsofix rates of essential commodities is department of Food, Civil Supplies andConsumer Affairs (FCSCA).
Director FCSCA, Bashir Ahmad Khan said they would intensifythe surprise checks. “We have taken notice of these complaints. Peopleresorting to profiteering would be dealt under law,” he said.
He said in the past 24 days, the department has recoveredfine of Rs 1.34 lakh from the profiteers.