Srinagar, Sep 08 (KNO): In Kashmir’s bustling marketplaces, once affordable and easily available vegetables have now become a luxury as prices soar sharply. The recent memories of rotten mutton and their lingering impact continue to cast a shadow over the region, and now even vegetables, which were once staples, are out of reach for many Kashmiris.
According to details obtained by the news agency - Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the public’s fondness for mutton has turned into frustration, and people are now approaching vegetable markets with a sense of despair.
Locals said that outrage over rising prices has transformed into open anger, with the cost of essential items increasing dramatically. For instance, live chicken, once affordable at Rs 120–130 per kilogram, is now selling for over Rs 200 per kilogram.
“Even chicken, which used to be a fallback option, is now beyond the reach of the poor,” said Shahzada, a resident of Bemina. She added that vegetable prices have also surged, with items like onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans being sold at double or more their previous rates, making simple meals feel like a luxury.
“They’ve turned vegetables into status symbols,” joked a shopper in Batamaloo, though the humour was tinged with irony.
Another resident said that it is not just the high prices, but that they have "weaponised" kitchens, leaving common people struggling.
Dealers said the sharp price hikes were due to disrupted supply chains and increased transportation costs, worsened by recent highway blockages. However, locals also accuse the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of being a “mute spectator”, saying the department has become ineffective, merely issuing orders and polishing the government’s image while people are left to cope with soaring prices on their own.
“This department only issues orders and tries to project an image of efficiency. On the ground, they are silent while our kitchens burn,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. (KNO)