Syed Tahir Bukhari
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Jan 22: Black marketers are fleecing consumers day in and day out, here in Baramulla district by selling essential commodities at sky-high prices.
According to sources consumers in major towns of Baramulla, Khowjabagh, Pattan, Sopore, Kreeri and Rafiabad complained that most of the shopkeepers, including vegetable and fruit vendors, were overcharging them for essential commodities and that too when Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for a day due to heavy snowfall near Jawahar Tunnel.
Under the garb of moderate snowfall in plains on Thursday, the shopkeepers were fleecing them on almost all essential commodities, sources said.
A consumer Irshad Ahmad of Azadgunj Baramulla told Early Times that boiler chickens were sold at exaggerated rate of Rs 140 to Rs 150 against the genuine rate of Rs 110 per kg.
"I bought chicken at Rs 140 per kg and when I argued with the shopkeeper over the exaggerated rate, he claimed that the rates of broiler chickens had gone up by Rs 20 per kg after the recent announcements," said Ahmad.
Another consumer, Ghulam Ahmad Dar of Kanispora said that "rates of onion, tomato, cauliflower and other vegetables have gone sky-high overnight.
"Vegetables like onions and tomatoes are being sold at Rs 30 and Rs 40, respectively in Baramulla town. After the recent moderate snowfall, which affected traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, vegetable and fruit vendors are selling vegetables and fruits on their own rates, Dar alleged.
The food and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department should check the rate lists of these roadside vendors and book the erring shopkeepers to put a check on black marketing," Dar said.
However consumers have appealed CAPD to send teams and take action against the erring shopkeepers fleecing the consumers. "We are made to pay very high prices especially for vegetables and chicken.
Chicken is sold around 150-160 per kg in some places like Watergam, Kreeri, Model town Sopore and other parts of Baramulla district and vegetables are also sold at high rates," consumer said.
"The CAPD should send checking squads and book the erring shopkeepers fleecing gullible consumers," he added.
Meanwhile early times contacted Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD), Baramulla Dr Sheeba, She said it is good that you have brought this issue into my notice and from tomorrow we will start a drive against erring shopkeepers.
"We will not spare any shopkeeper found violating the rate list issued by the department. They have to ensure that rate lists of all commodities remain displayed in shops and commodities sold according to it," said Dr Sheeba.
Sheeba said the rate list of commodities had already been distributed among the shopkeepers and they should not invite trouble for themselves by resorting to black marketing of commodities.
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