WE THE PEOPLE
Even with disappearance of poultry and uncontrolled price hike of other edibles, authorities continue to remain unmoved
Hence people demand sustained market checking to curb hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in Kashmir
By: M. Shirjeel
SRINAGAR: With no effective writ of the State Administration in force, poultry has suddenly disappeared from Kashmir markets and is reportedly being sold at hidden Sale-centres at exorbitant rates. The rates of mutton, cheese, vegetables and other edibles continue to soar high with no one to control and streamline them. The case of drugs is all the more serious as spurious medicines have allegedly flooded Valley markets and thereby put lives of Consumers to grave risks. The dealers of garments and shoes make hay as they display price tags of their choice.
But the officials of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPDD) seem to have compromised with the situation and seldom conduct market checking and book a few Dealers. The rate at which the checking squads appear in the markets of Kashmir valley has raised many accusing fingers towards them. Thus the Shoppers have been left to the mercy of the Shopkeepers. It is a fact that the dealers dealing with supply of mutton/poultry encounter some problems in outside markets, but it was the duty of the State Government to come forward and help them out. It is alleged that some NGOs have started a malicious campaign against slaughtering of animals and thus putting hurdles in the transshipment of sheep to the Valley. People suspect a rat in the whole affair, as mutton and poultry are readily available in country’s markets and why then Kashmiri markets are without poultry today.
Pertinent to mention that the CAPDD was created to maintain price-line of essential commodities and ensure uninterrupted supply of edibles to the people of the State. The officials of the Department used to hold meetings with Kothedars/Poultry dealers every month and involve law-enforcing agencies to ensure operation of rates arrived and fixed in such meetings. The rate-lists used to be prepared and issued in consultation with all concerned and thus people would not face any difficulty in purchasing essentials. But with the passage of time, such exercises are seldom undertaken, which has encouraged black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding in Kashmir Valley. Although the shopkeepers’ display rate-lists at conspicuous places, yet there is no adherence to such lists and the Shoppers are charged exorbitant rates with no one to check them.
It was during late eighties when Divisional Administration and people joined hands to forego consumption of mutton in the Valley. It forced the butchers to sell poultry instead of mutton and in the process, the rates came down in the Valley. It was at that time that some unscrupulous elements sabotaged the plan formulated by the then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and again the butchers resumed selling mutton at high rates. Therefore, the conscientious citizens call for cooperation between people and the State functionaries to devise a strategy to discourage consumption of mutton/poultry and instead take recourse to pulses and vegetables. The exercise as such, if undertaken with determination, can go a long way in reducing import of sheep/poultry and send a signal across the country that Kashmiris can live without mutton/poultry. It is equally responsibility of the officials of Animal/Sheep Husbandry Departments to take all measures to increase production of sheep and poultry in the State. They can also set up sale outlets in different districts to control and streamline prices of such commodities in the Valley.
Hence people demand sustained market checking to curb hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering in Kashmir valley. It would be equally desirable that people decide to reduce consumption of mutton and set-up Committees to help checking squads to curb black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding in Kashmir Valley. Until people realize their own responsibilities, the State functionaries cannot prove effective to control price-hike. The formation of Committees shall help in plugging loopholes and cut the sharp edge of corruption to a great extent in Kashmir Valley. Whether this is done remains to be seen!
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