Srinagar: In what could be described as ‘exploitation’ of government orders (lockdown) imposed in the wake of Novel Coronavirus outbreak, the prices of essentials have been sky rocketing.
People complain that shopkeepers and vendors have doubled the prices of vegetables and fruits in absence of any watch and ward by the administration amidst lockdown.
Orange (Nagpuri) which was sold at Rs 30 per dozen before lockdown is being sold at Rs 110 while banana per dozen is sold at Rs 80-100. Similarly grapes are sold 160 and watermelon Rs 40 to 50 per kilogram.
Rates of vegetables have also gone up over the past one month as people are left with no option than to stick on what shopkeeper or the street vendor offers.
Rate of Collard greens (haakh) most preferred veggie of every household in Kashmir has been doubled and is being sold at Rs 50 per kg while potatoes (Punjabi) are sold at Rs 40 per kg, Peas 80-100 and spinach at Rs 40.
Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Bashir Ahmad Khan assured stringent actions against the vendors and shopkeepers if found involved in selling essentials like fruits and vegetables on exorbitant rates.
“We have realized a fine of rupees 1, 34,000 from the violators during lockdown period. We take action whenever we receive a complaint. Since the issue of fresh violation comes to my notice, I assure that a stringent drive against violators would be launched from tomorrow. We will also capture video and photographs of violators and give them to press,” Director CAPD told ‘Kashmir Images’
