Fleecing public
In this month of Ramzan, the markets are completely out of hands of the State administration and there is no uniform rate in all the essential commodities being sold in the markets. The rates of mutton have gone up as the wholesalers are blaming the highway ban and the various check posts created to stop the vehicles coming to Kashmir for the high rates. The State administration has failed to save the wholesalers of mutton from such exploitation at the hands of police and other authorities outside the J&K State. They have also blamed the highway ban for the high rates of mutton, claiming that lot of their livestock perish enroute to Kashmir valley. Whatever is the truth in these allegations, the common people in Kashmir have to face the music of mutton dealers.
Already the mutton dealers are selling the mutton at rate of Rs. 500/- per Kg with authorities nowhere trying to stop such fleeing of common people at the hands of mutton dealers. Similarly is the situation about the vegetables and fresh fruits. The wholesalers and retailers of vegetables and fresh fruit are selling them at their will and at their own prices.
Divisional administration has already given strict orders to all district authorities to streamline the markets and check such high rates of shopkeepers. Deputy Commissioners will constitute a joint control room at all DC offices in coordination with concerned departments and publicize their contact numbers through media. The officials of the Health Department to ensure better health care facilities at all hospitals. Animal Husbandry department was asked to deploy mobile vans for sale of chicken at various places in the Valley and publicize the rates through media for the convenience of consumers.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed concerned departments to work with dedication and synergy so that people do not face any inconvenience during the holy month. Inspite of all these instructions and steps taken by the divisional commissioner Kashmir, there is no visible impact on the ground. As the holy month of Ramzan has started, the people of Kashmir expect a better deal by the government and they have expectations that in this month of prayers and peace, they will get all the essential commodities in the markets on reasonable rates.
