Baramulla, May 21 (KNO) : The prices of essential commodities in the valley markets have skyrocketed during the holy month of Ramadan even after district administrations promised of special teams to check overpricing.
Prices of essentials including vegetables, spinach, onion, potato, garlic, ginger, tomato, and fruits are soaring. “Meat prices have been overtaken by butchers.There are no controls," buyers have been compelling. KNO received many calls on Tuesday of peopel complaining that mutton, chicken, beef and fish prices have also increased.
A visit to several markets in Uri, Chandanwari, Boniyar, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pattan, Hardwara, Palhalan, Chandoosa, Sopore witnessed that different commodities including chicken, vegetables and fruits are being sold much above the rates government have set.
The Spinach, green chillies and cucumber are being sold at Rs 100, 80 and 60 per kg respectively in the local markets here. “It is quite disgrace that the authorities have failed so far to control the price of essential commodities,” Fayaz Ahmad, a local from Baramulla told KNO
He added that the retailers are not the only cause for the overpricing, but the wholesalers are the equal shareholders in the sky touching rates. Another resident, Ghulam Nabi from Kupwara told KNo that the traders are fooling the public, since in the holy month of Ramadan every single person is bond to buy despite overpricing.
Consumers from Uri, Boniyar, and Handwara said that meat is sold at Rs 500/kg, beef at 300/kg, chicken at Rs 170/Kg and the rates of vegetables and fruits vary from shop to shop however for vegetables above 70 rs is set for single quality.
Director consumer affairs and public distribution (CAPD) Kashmir Mohammad Qasim Wani told KNO that CAPD along with the revenue department are conducting raids wherever they receive the complaints from. “We have collected a fine of around 2 lakh rupees from black marketers and will continuously conduct such raids,” he said. He told KNO that the traders must get a receipt for the fine they are fined in time.(KNO)