Baramulla: Amid Covid-19 lockdown, the prices of vegetables and fruits have skyrocketed in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
According to locals, the vendors are fleecing the customers by selling the vegetables and fruits at exorbitant prices. “The government seems to be in deep slumber over the rising prices of fruits and vegetables with no steps being taken to check and reduce the prices,” they said.
“The fruit and vegetable sellers do not adhere to the rate list of Department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution due to which we are left with no option but to buy the eatables at exorbitant rates,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a customer.
“Collard greens are being sold at Rs 70, green chilies at Rs 70, French beans for 80 and fresh beans for Rs 80. Other vegetables like beans, bitter gourd are also very expensive,” said a local resident, Abdul Majid.
The customers said that not only vegetables, but rates of fruits are also soaring day by day and the concerned officials seem to be least bothered to keep a check on the violation of the CAPD rate list.
“We have to buy bananas for Rs 100 a dozen and Watermelon and muskmelon are sold at Rs 70 per kg,” said Mohammad Ayoub, a local labourer.
When contacted Assistant Director Food Baramulla, Sheikh Tariq Ahmad, said: “Our teams are conducting market checking and we have fined many violators and whosoever will found selling commodities at higher rates will be fined and booked.”
He advised people to register complaints against the erring sellers.
