Prices of essential commodities still high in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 7 (UNI) The prices of majority of essential commodities in the Kashmir valley are higher than the government approved rates despite reopening of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which remained closed for ten days due to landslides and shooting stones.

More than three thousands trucks, carrying essential commodities, have arrived here after the highway was reopened for traffic on March 3. However, there is still no change in the prices of items being imported from other states.

A day after the highway, the only road linking the valley with the rest of the country, was closed for traffic on February 21, the prices of all essential commodities went up manifold while some of the consumable items, including meat, chicken and eggs went out of stock.

However, after arrival of sufficient stock, the prices remained unchanged with the divisional administration making no effort to enforce the government approved rates, alleged local residents here.

They said whenever the highway gets closed, traders either put the board of out of stock or sell their items on higher prices.

Abdul Hamid, an engineer by profession said that meat which was being sold at a rate of Rs 150 per kg before the closure of the highway is now being sold at Rs 175 to Rs 180 per kg, while the government approved rate is just Rs 130.

There is no check on prices of any item, he said and blamed the local authorities for it.

Another resident Bilal Ahmad said that a dozen of eggs cost Rs 30 while the government approved rate is Rs 24. Similarly the one kg of chiken is being sold at Rs 75 per kg while the approved rate is just Rs 55.

The prices of almost all the vegetables being imported from Punjab, Jammu and other northern states has increased manifold.

Surprisingly, the prices of local vegetables have also increased.

Local fish price had also gone up several times.

Curd is being sold at Rs 20 per kg and cheese Rs 90 per kg, which is 25 per cent high against the government approved rates.

UNI