Srinagar, Nov 12: The increase in prices of essential food items is placing a growing financial burden on households across Kashmir, with milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits becoming increasingly expensive for ordinary consumers.

Families say the rising cost of daily groceries is making it difficult to manage household budgets. Essential food items that were once part of routine purchases are now becoming difficult to afford, forcing many households to reduce quantities and reconsider their daily spending.
The price of an egg tray has reportedly reached Rs 230 in local markets. Milk prices have also increased, while vegetables and fruits continue to remain expensive, making everyday grocery shopping a costly affair.
The impact is particularly severe on salaried employees, daily wagers, pensioners and families dependent on limited incomes. With earnings largely unchanged, the rising cost of household essentials is leaving little room for savings or other necessary expenses.
Consumers have also raised concerns over the lack of effective market regulation. They have questioned whether regular inspections are being conducted, who monitors the prices charged by traders and what action is taken against those found overcharging customers.
They said the absence of consistent monitoring has left buyers uncertain about prevailing market rates, with ordinary consumers bearing the burden of rising prices.
The concern, they added, is not limited to a few commodities. The combined increase in the prices of essential food items is putting sustained pressure on household finances and affecting the daily lives of families.
Consumers have urged the concerned departments and market regulatory authorities to conduct regular inspections, verify prices and take strict action against unjustified profiteering.
They stressed that access to affordable food is a basic necessity and called for timely administrative intervention to protect consumers from excessive market prices.