Prices of vegetables, other essential items go up many folds in Kashmir
Srinagar, Jan 23: As hundreds of trucks, carrying essentials, remained stranded at various places for the past several days on 300-km-long National Highway due to slippery road conditions, the price of vegetables and fruits have increased many folds in the Kashmir Valley.
Even though Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, is through for one-way traffic, truckers alleged that they have been stranded on the Highway at various place from the past several days. Taking advantage of the situation, the vendors and shopkeepers are now selling essential commodities, particularly vegetables and fruits on increased prices. The prices of almost all the vegetables, being imported from Punjab, Jammu and other northern states have increased manifold. Surprisingly, the prices of local vegetables have also increased in the Valley, where the rate of local fish has also gone up several times.
People alleged that authorities have failed to keep a check on the prices of essentials in the valley. “The prices of essential commodities, including vegetables and fruits, have increased many folds from the last couple of days and the government has failed to keep a check on the rates,” Ghulam Nabi, a retired Government employee, told UNI. Meanwhile, people could be seen purchasing dried vegetables and fish from the market in the city, where public transport remained off the road in support of 72-hour-long strike called by transporters.
However, the prices of dried tomato, fish, Brinjal and turnip have also increased due to non-availability of fresh vegetables. Peas, which were sold at Rs 20 per kg few days ago, now costs Rs 30 to Rs 35 while cauliflower costs Rs 40, against Rs 20 earlier. Kadam also costs Rs 40, witnessing an increase of 50 percent. Chicken has also witnessed increase while meat was already being sold at Rs 400 per kg. Tomato and Onion which used to cost Rs 20 per kg was being sold at Rs 25 per kg.