Srinagar: As the Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching, prices of mutton and poultry products have started touching the sky as retail dealers are resorting to arbitrary price hike citing shortage of supply as a reason.
While rate of mutton per kilogram as per approved rate is Rs 440, it is being sold at Rs 650-700 in Srinagar and elsewhere in the valley. Similarly rate of chicken per kilogram is Rs 110 fixed by the government. However, consumers are charged Rs 145-160.
Wholesale dealers attribute price hike in much demanded products ahead of Eid with shortage of supply due to the lockdown saying Mandi’s across India stand closed ever since the lockdown was imposed amid COVID-19 outbreak. They also claim that rates soared in view of the hike in importing cost of livestock.
Complaining non-adherence of the notified rates by retail dealers, consumers said they buy mutton at Rupees 650-700 while rates of chicken stand at 145-160 as government authorities have kept their eyes shut.
Consumers allege that lockdown or no lockdown, they are always fleeced by retailers ahead of all the festivals including Eid.
When contacted Director CAPD, Bashir Ahmad Khan said that people should inform the authorities about price hike so that action warranted under law is taken against violators.
“We have issued a revised rate list of both mutton and chicken and people are requested not to pay extra than what has been approved. They are also requested to bring any issue of price hike into our notice for immediate action,” Director CAPD said here.
