WE THE PEOPLE
Sensing laxity in Vigil over Kashmir markets even on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, Black marketeers and Profiteers quite busy in fleecing shoppers
Hence people seek Div Com’s intervention, demand implementation of approved rate lists and drive against anti-social elements
By: Uzair Khan
Srinagar: Notwithstanding oft-repeated hand outs highlighting rates approved for different essential commodities, there is complete non-compliance and utter violation of such official directives, leaving thereby Shoppers completely at the mercy of Black-marketeers, Hoarders and Profiteers in the whole of Kashmir valley. The approved rate lists are displayed at prominent places as show pieces to hoodwink the passers-by, with law-enforcing agencies conspicuously missing and thus giving free rope to anti-social elements. Same is the case in respect of dealers dealing with garments, hosiery, shoes, cosmetics and other items of daily use. The druggists are allegedly indulging in the sale of spurious drugs, which have affected human health beyond description.
The CA&PDD officials are charged with the responsibility to exercise frequent checks on markets, but such checks are conducted not at regular intervals, especially on the eve of some festivals. It seems the sharks of the society have lost all moral and human values and are swayed away merely by materialistic considerations. The attitude of some of the druggists is all the more inhuman as they have been hiking prices of medicines beyond common man’s financial capacity. Had the checking squads been conscious of their official obligations, the prevailing situation would not have become so grim today. This is evident from the fact that mutton is being sold at Rs 180/Kg against approved rate of Rs 125 and poultry at Rs 90/Kg against Rs 55/Kg. Besides adulteration level of edibles has touched all time high. The government officials have failed miserably to control prices and discourage hoarding and profiteering. Therefore, it becomes obligatory on the part of the Civil Society to rise to the occasion and launch a crusade against law-breakers to provide relief to the common people, especially those who are living below poverty line.
It is a fact that increasing prices of essential commodities has become a worldwide phenomenon and has caught headlines of Newspapers. Failure to tame inflation has placed the Central government in the dock. This became the cause for separation of the Allies at the Center. Later the Central Government decided to import one million tones of edible oil and 15 lakh tones of pulses to control prices but such steps too have failed to bring down prices so for in the country. It is also a fact that the government abolished import duty on edible oils and pulses but this too failed to yield positive dividends. It is also a fact that the Central Government constituted a committee headed by planning commission member and asked it to go into the forward market commissions. Later the Prime Minister impressed upon Chief Ministers to take steps to control inflation but there is no perceptible change at the ground level.
“ We feel custodians of law of the land have gone into deep hibernation and given free rope to the sharks of society, otherwise, there is no bar for the State functionaries to raid, prosecute and convict the hoarders and profiteers. The Essential Commodities Act is very clear about dealing with such persons who indulge in black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding. It is alleged that Public Distribution System has turned into a leaking system and a big percentage of the food grains supplied for public distribution system do not reach the beneficiaries. It becomes, therefore, necessary for the government to overhaul the said department to plug all loopholes to provide relief to those who are in dire need for the same. It is further learnt that the Central Government has realized that there was a case for containing and moderating liquidity since money supply is the main driver for inflation. The J&K Government must also take necessary steps to overcome the problem,” said a group of keen Watchers of Kashmir valley.
Therefore, people have sought intervention by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and demanded that law enforcing agencies must join hands with Civil Society and launch a joint drive against sharks of Kashmir valley. The drive against all those indulging in such unlawful activities can go a long way to curb black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding besides develop a sense of security among common masses. Public participation, especially of senior citizens in curbing crime of any nature can yield positive dividends. Whether this is done, only time will tell.
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