Cap prices of essential commodities, say south Kashmir residents
Say Gas agencies are taking money for Ujwala scheme deliveries
Pulwama: As a strict lockdown has been ensured in different parts of South Kashmir, vendors have been taking the people for a ride as they have resorted to brazen loot by fixing prices of essential commodities on their own.
As the local authorities are bust in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic the vendors have started hording essentials as well.
“Since this is a grave issue we demand that authorities should cap the prices of essential commodities including vegetables, fruits and other items,” Firdous Ahmad, a local resident of Pulwama said.
Residents have alleged that prices of essential items have been increased and there is no body to control the black marketing.
They said that vendors and shopkeepers should not take benefit out of the prevailing situation by charging more than the actual price as the situation is pressing for everyone.
“Lock down is likely to get extended and we don’t have any other option available than to buy essential items at any cost,” they said.
Locals from different areas of Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam said that prices of kitchen staples like potatoes, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower and onions have been increased by 20 to 30% as shopkeepers and vendors are taking undue advantage of the crisis.
Many locals also alleged that medical items like masks and sanitizers are also sold at very high prices and nobody is even sure of its efficacy.
Meanwhile, residents have also alleged that different gas agencies are looting poor people in the name of registration for Ujwala scheme.
Sources said that soon after government announced to provide three gas cylinders or an equal amount as per market rate for all those households who have got gas Connections through Ujwala scheme in last two years, different agencies have been asking to pay Rs 100 per household for registration.
