WE THE PEOPLE
With rates fixed for mutton, other edibles need similar treatment to end black-marketing and profiteering
Hence people urge Administration to invoke relevant Acts to deal with Law-breakers to streamline prices in Kashmir Valley
By: M Shirjeel
Srinagar: Better late than never! The prices of mutton were fluctuating and there was no sign of stability, thereby putting common people to severe hardships. It is after much public uproar that the divisional administration has convened a meeting of senior officers and representatives of Wholesale Kothadar Association and Retail Mutton Dealers Association the other day with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. It has been decided that mutton without Ujri shall be sold at Rs 180 per Kg and Rs 165 per Kg with Ujri. Similarly the wholesale rate for mutton shall be Rs 160 and the rates shall be applicable from July 08, 09 and will remain in force for three months after which the rates shall be reviewed again. It was also decided that no unlicensed Kothedar would be allowed to import sheep and goats in the valley.
It is a fact that with the Valley of Kashmir overtaken by frequent protests followed by imposition of undeclared curfew, the profiteers and black-marketers had gained an upper-hand and are virtually ruling the roost and calling the shots nowadays. The prices of edibles like mutton, poultry, vegetables and other items of day to day consumption have been going up beyond common man’s capacity. Although the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department have been dishing out rate lists, yet there is no implementation at the ground level. This shows that either the officials had chosen to remain totally indifferent or allegedly entered into nexus with anti-social elements in Kashmir Valley.
No doubt, increasing prices of essential commodities have become world phenomenon and have caught headlines of Newspapers. The UPA Government too subsequently decided to import edible oil and pulses besides mulling a ban on future trading in essential commodities. All Public Sector Companies were directed to import edible oils besides decision was taken to subsidize oil at the rate of Rs.15/lit and ensured that it would be available all over the country, especially for Below Poverty Line and Antidaya families.
Here in Kashmir Valley, the Divisional Administration has all along been devising means and methods to fix price-line of edibles and fixing rates annually. While the dealers have been displaying such rate lists at their shops but never stick to them and charge customers rates of their choice. The CAPDD has appointed checking squads to monitor rates of commodities but such squads generally appear on the eve of festivals and remain confined their cozy compartments for rest of the year. This is the reason that profiteering, black-marketing and hoarding continue to remain unchecked in the Valley.
“The dealers dealing with sale of edibles have developed a tendency to hike prices whenever the wind blows in their direction. They are always on hunt like greedy hunters to fleece common masses with impunity. Whenever Srinagar-Jammu highway gets blocked, the dealers resort to hoarding and put price tags on the articles of their choice with no one to check them. No dealer can dare to indulge in black marketing, profiteering and hoarding until and unless he enjoys patronage and protection of those who are supposed to book them for the offences they commit. Therefore, nexus between the lawbreakers and lawmakers is to break, till then there can’t be any improvement at the ground level. Since politicians are away from the scene at present and bureaucrats are at the helm of affairs so there is no reason for not coming down heavily upon anti-social elements nowadays. Those charged with the responsibility of maintaining price line should rise to the occasion and see approved rate lists for different commodities are followed. Besides a new crop of dealers dealing with shoes, garments and electronic goods has emerged with their own agenda and are dominating the markets, changing rates weeklies and evading taxes allegedly in collusion with the officials. The activities of such a class of dealers need to be curbed with iron hand”, said a group of elderly persons of Kashmir Valley.
Therefore, people urge authorities to invoke Essential Commodities Act and proceed against all those who are indulging in profiteering, hoarding and black marketing. The law is clear in such cases and it is only implementation which is need of the hour.
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