SRINAGAR: With the closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway from last three days, the rates of the essential commodities has skyrocketed in the markets especially vegetables.
The consumers blame government’s failure for checking rising prices.
“The government set rates are not implemented in the market,” said Sumiya Jan. She purchased 1 kg of tomato from Rs 50, which according to her was selling at Rs 30 per kilogram last week.
The consumers said the vegetable sellers have increased the prices of vegetables as per their own choice and are refusing to give concessions.
“When we ask the vegetables sellers why they are selling vegetables at higher prices, they say go to another shop,” said a consumer, Manzoor Ahmad, adding, “We do not have any other option but to purchase it.”
The vegetables sellers said that there is no fixed rate for vegetables. “When the rates increase in mandi, the prices are also increased in the market,” they said.
President of New Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Dealers Association of Parimpora Mandi told Kashmir Reader that the rates of the vegetables have not increased in Mandi. “We are selling fruits and vegetables in mandi on normal rates,” he said.
Deputy Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs department (FCS&CA), Peerzada Zahoor Ahmad said, “Our team members are regularly checking markets in Srinagar and elsewhere.”
“The department is taking strict against the violators,” he said.

ARIF RASHID