People in Kashmir resort to dry vegetables, fish

Srinagar, Mar 13 (UNI) People in Kashmir have once again resorted to vegetables and fish dried during summer and pulses as majority of the shops selling essential commodities, including meat, vegetables, milk, chicken and other eatables remained closed in the Valley due to closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

A large number of people were seen purchasing dried vegetables and fish from the market in the city.

Ghulam Mohiuddin Baba, a retired government employee said until late eighties, people in general used to dry vegetables and fish during the summer for winter months when the highway remained closed for months.

However, things changed and fresh vegetable were being imported from Jammu and other northern states during the winters, he said adding people in the valley had almost stopped consuming dried Vegetables after doctors said it causes cancer and other diseases.

We are going backward as the highway often gets closed due to landslides and shooting stones, he said and demanded completion of alternative Mughal road.

However, the prices of dried tomato, fish, Brinjal, Gourd and turnip has also increased due to non-availability of fresh vegetables.

Prices of all essential commodities went up manifold while some of the items such as 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 on March 11.

The divisional administration also made no effort to enforce the government approved rates, local residents alleged.

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

The butchers have closed down their shops. However, in some areas meat was being sold to some selected customers 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 all shops closed. Yesterday 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 80 to Rs 90 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 have increased manifold.

Surprisingly, the prices of local vegetables have also increased.

The pricers of local fish has 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 higher than the government approved rates.

UNI