Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday expressed concern over skyrocketing inflation in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it is the poorest of poor, daily wagers and salaried class that are feeling the squeeze.
Expressing concern over the peaking inflation in Jammu and Kashmir, JKNC State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, in a statement issued here, said the inflation rate had touched 7.59 percent in J&K which is even higher than the national inflation rate of 6.95 percent. “There is no breather for inhabitants of J&K. Our People continue to face inflationary pressure. It is anybody’s guess what people must be going through at this time when festivities are around. The soaring price rise has pinched the daily wagers, the most. People are finding it very difficult to make ends meet,” he said.
“Constant price rise is hitting the common man where it hurts the most and the administration has failed to take meaningful steps to curb the trend. The political instability and governance deficit have already wreaked havoc on our people, particularly daily wagers, hawkers, labourers, middle, BPL and salaried classes and depleted their savings. The soaring prices of essential commodities in the face of salary cuts and job losses have dealt a double blow for the common man, especially those from the middle and lower-middle income groups and below poverty line (BPL) segments of society. Adding to the worries is the rising fuel prices of petrol breaching the Rs 100/litre-mark for the very first time and diesel creeping up, at over Rs 92 per litre in most places across the state. People are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
He said the government was punishing people, particularly poor farmers, transporters, traders, daily wagers, hawkers, BPL, middle and salaried classes for its own incompetence.
