Vendors in Kashmir Valley are having field days as the administration stays away from the markets. Taking full advantage of prevailing uncertainty, vendors and vegetable sellers have sharply pushed up prices of vegetables and fruits across Valley particularly in Srinagar.
The regulating body is in deep slumber while sellers are violating all the norms imposing self-fixed prices on customers.
Due to prevailing situation, the price of tomato has gone up from Rs 20 to Rs 70 now. There is no shortage of supply but the vendors are taking undue advantage of the situation. Kashmir has been witnessing continuous shutdown from past two months against the abrogation of Article 370 in the first week of August this year.
“Due to prevailing situation the market checking squad is unable to regulate the market. We can’t visit the areas in present circumstances,” said an official from Food Supply Department.
Some of the buyers told Kashmir News Trust that the game of increasing price is being played mainly due to uneasy calm prevailing in Kashmir. “A couple of vendors operating in a single market usually fix the prices. Take the example of Mehjoor Nagar, Haba Kadal or Zaina Kadal area. The vendors selling vegetables there decide the price of each vegetable. There are no fixed prices. In Haba Kadal you will get a kilogram of Tomato for Rs 70 while for the same quantity you have to spend Rs 60 in Mehjoor Nagar,” said a businessman Sajad Ahmed.
The vegetable sellers sell lettuce (saagh) for Rs 70, Nadroo Rs 300, Panjabi potato Rs 50, white potato Rs 40, Spinach Rs 50, cabbage Rs 40, cauliflower Rs 50, Beans Rs 60, lady finger Rs 60, peas Rs 100.
The rate of onion is between Rs 60 and Rs 70 a kg depending on the quality and profile of the colonies. The retail price of most vegetables including bottle gourd, pinted gourd, brinjal have touched Rs 50 a kg. Similarly, one kg capsicum (shimla mirch) is available at Rs 60; ginger at Rs 125 a kg; carrot Rs 40 a kilogram. (knt)