Sheikh Nadeem
As the pandemic spreads throughout India, the rates of all the essential commodities have touched sky-high, same is the scenario in the Kashmir valley.
In South Kashmir’s, Islamabad (Anantnag), many mischievous shopkeepers are taking full advantage of their arbitrariness amid lock down and epidemic of Covid-19, they are trying to rob the common people by raising prices.
Shopkeepers in this South Kashmir district in general and Islamabad township, Achabal, Damhal Khushipura, Brenti, Delgam, Hakura, Dehrana, Dooro, Verinag and other areas in particular are charging arbitrary rates and on the ‘rate list’ proposed by the government.
At some places, meat is being sold at 600 rupees against the Government rate of 400 Rupees, while chicken is being sold at 150 rupees against the rate of 110 rupees prescribed by the Government.
The officials, locals say, do not bother to act. People have appealed to the Department of Affairs and Distribution as well as DC Anantnag to look into the matter.
“Strict action should be taken against the shopkeepers by inspecting the area, Social worker Farooq Ahmed Butt Criticizing the administration, said that the government is testing the helplessness of the people by not addressing the grievances,” locals told The Kashmiriyat.
The Additional Director of food, upon being contacted by The Kashmiriyat said that he will look into the matter and resolve the issue sooner by conducting market checks throughout the district