Prices should remain under control
As crowds fill the markets on the eve of Eid festival, the Valley’s bazaars are once again reflecting the warmth, excitement and tradition ahead of the festive days. Though the much needed spark is missing but shoppers have started thronging the markets.
With less than a week left for Eid celebrations, markets across Kashmir have started to witness a footfall of shoppers. Though the sales still remain a concern, but Eid markets in Kashmir traditionally peak at the last moment and hopefully this year as well, the season turns out to be good.
Ahead of the festival of Eid markets have begun to witness the charm with traders rolling out bumper discounts and festive sales trying to attract shoppers in large numbers.
After witnessing a relatively slow start to the festive season, shopkeepers across the Valley have introduced attractive offers on garments, footwear, cosmetics and household items, prompting a surge in footfall in major markets.
However, a major concern that has been worrying the shoppers is the escalation in prices and least market regulations visible on ground.
As the festival approaches, mutton and Chicken prices have relatively remained regulated but still customers are complaining that butchers and chicken are selling meat well above the government-fixed rate.
The administration has fixed the retail price of mutton but in many markets across Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, residents say it is being sold between Rs 750 and Rs 800 per kg, drawing resentment from customers already grappling with rising living costs. Similarly, prices of chicken too are witnessing escalation.
Mutton is an essential part of Eid meals across Kashmir, but these prices are too high. For a big family, buying even three or four kilograms proves a challenge. Notably, Kashmir is among the highest mutton-consuming regions in the country. According to trade estimates, the Valley consumes around 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of mutton annually, reflecting the deep cultural and culinary bond with meat dishes.
During Eid festivities, the demand increases significantly as thousands of sheep are brought into the Valley from different states to meet the surge in consumption.
However, the escalation in prices means that many a families will miss the meat dishes during the meals.
Similarly, the cost of other eatables and fruits too is witnessing a surge in prices and the situation will turn even worse during the coming few days as more and more shoppers will move out in the streets to get their products of choice for the festival celebrations.
What is needed right now is that the administration needs to get active and market checking is intensified so that the consumers do not feel the heat during these troubling times, especially when war crisis in the middle east has already scared the people owing to rise in the prices of LPG and fuel.
