Butcher shops in Kashmir closed, other essentials cost more

Srinagar, Mar 11 (UNI) Butchers have closed down their shops as the prices of majority of essential commodities in the Kashmir valley are still higher than the government approved rates despite reopening of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

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.

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

However, after the arrival of sufficient stock, the prices remained unchanged as the divisional administration made 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.

However, in some areas meat is being sold at Rs 180 to Rs 190 per kg against the government-approved rate of Rs 130. The price of the meat was Rs 150 per kg before the closure of the highway.

A UNI correspondent who visited a number of markets in the city saw no check on prices of any item and the rate list.

A dozen of eggs cost Rs 30 while the government approved rate is Rs 24. Similarly one kg of chiken is being sold at Rs 75 per kg while the approved rate is Rs 55.

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

Surprisingly, the prices of local vegetables have also increased.

Local fish price had also gone up by 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