Prices of essential commodities up in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 19: After the shifting of civil secretariat, the seat of the government, to the winter capital Jammu, the local administration in Kashmir has almost become non existence as the prices of essential commodities has gone up and there is acute electricity shortage.

People in general in the valley alleged that prices of almost all essential commodities has gone up after the shifting of office to Jammu on November 1.

There was a sudden increase of Rs two per kg milk being supplied by different milk agencies in the valley.

There is no checking of prices and shopkeepers are selling the essential commodities on higher prices defying the government approved rate, said Mohammad Altaf, a telephone booth owner.

A UNI correspondent who visited different markets in the city saw shopkeepers selling their products on very high rates.

A butcher in the civil line area was selling one kg of meat at Rs 150 against the government approved rate of Rs 125.

The rate of one dozen eggs which was Rs 22 before shifting of the offices is now Rs 28 to Rs 30, depending upon the area.

Altaf alleged that the flying squads set up by the administration to check the prices are in league with the shopkeepers. They are getting their share in the profit from the shopkeepers, he said adding for records the members of the flying squad are booking some small shopkeepers.

The price of one kg cheese which was Rs 70 a fortnight ago has risen to Rs 80 to 90 now. Similarly the prices of all pulses has also gone up by Rs 10 to Rs 15 per kg. An increase of Rs 30 was also registered in five kg tin of cooking oil of different brands. The price of half a kg butter which was Rs 72 before shifting of offices to Jammu, has gone up by Rs ten while Rs 100 to Rs 200 increase was recorded per quintal of rice. Ten kg of flour which was Rs 110 earlier is now being sold at Rs 150 and prices of chicken has also gone up to Rs 65 per kg against the government approved rate of Rs 55.

The prices of vegetables have also gone up by Rs five to Rs ten per kg.

The common people in Kashmir alleged that the divisional administration and the consumer affairs department have failed to get the prices fixed by the government implemented.

They alleged that no action is being taken against the shopkeepers even after making complaints with concerned agencies.

The power crisis get complicated in the valley after the shifting of darbar move offices. Besides ten hour daily power curtailment, people in the Kashmir valley alleged that there is frequent electricity failure during other parts of the day also.

People at several places took to streets protesting the power failures.

UNI

Related Stories

In-focus: Kashmir Burning