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| Sellers have thrown rate lists to winds | | | Nirbhay Jammual
Are the Government agencies,entrusted with the task of enforcing implementation of the rate lists prepared by the Consumer and Public Distribution Department(CAPDD),on strike ?Are the officers and the employees of these agencies on maternity or medical leave?Have these officers been reduced to a gutless entity by either the state administration or by the trading community ?These questions bother those in Jammu and Kashmir who feel fleeced by the retailers and the wholesalers,especially those connected with the sale of vegetables,fruit,chicken,mutton,rice and other commodities.
Six months ago the CAPDD had issued rate lists for various commodities,especially fruits and vegetables,besides mutton,milk and cheese.Vegetable and fruit sellers were the first to agitate against it on the plea that the prices fixed by the CAPDD were very low.They went on strike forcing the Government to review the rate lists.The rates were revised still they were consumer friendly.For instance they had adopted a system for selling bananas in kilos and not in dozens.Each banana kilo would cost Rs.23.After the two-month long shutdown has ended it costs Rs.40 a dozen..Other vegetables and fruits are sold 25 to 40 per cent higher than the rate fixed by the Government.The Government rate for a kg of mutton is Rs.125 and against this a kg of mutton is sold for over Rs.160 in Jammu and Rs.170 to Rs.180 in Srinagar.A kg of undressed chicken is sold at Rs.100 against Rs.60.
When the private transporters went on strike in protest against low fare the Government signed an agreement with the transporters under which 14 per cent hike was approved.What is the ground reality.? The fare has been unilaterally raised by 30 per cent and in some cases by 50 per cent.No room for argument with the matador conductor because if he loses his cool he may either slap the passenger or throw him down the running vehicle.After the Government lifted ban on the export of superior Basmati prices shot to Rs.5800 a quintal against Rs.4000 a quintal.Its prices kept on inflating and at present a quintal of superior Basmati costs between Rs.6500 and Rs.6800.No check.Is it because the senior functionaries in the CAPDD receive packets of superior Basmati free of cost.Prices of cheese,milk and curds have gone up by 10 to 25 per cent.They are likely to go up because there is no check.Look at edible oils,including those that are produced within the state.The prices have escalated from Rs.800 per tin of 15 litres to about Rs.1100 during the last seven months.
As far as fruit,vegetables,milk,mutton,edible oil and other consumer goods are concerned the margin of profit is wide between the rates of wholesalers and the retailers.At times the retailers sell the stuff 50 per cent higher than the prices they have paid in the wholesle market.Rates vary from shop to shop,from Rehri to Rehri from area to area.Since the rate lists are neither displayed in the shops nor inside the matadors the consumers and commuters dare not argue.Possibly the CAPDD officials have been engaged in monitoring either the movement of militants across the border or in handling law and order.If it is not so,where are these officials ? |
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