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| Hoarders, blackmarketeers make merry as Govt agencies become lame ducks | | | Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
srinagar, May 4: The price hike and black marketing of essential commodities is seeing no end in Jammu and Kashmir as more than 130 cases of black marketing have been registered last year.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police last year registered as many as 134 outlets for violating the Essential Commodities Act in the state.
Data assessed by The Early Times reveals that in 2014, the Police booked as many as 186 persons for the black-marketing of essential commodities.
Similarly in the year 2013, 166 cases of black marketing were registered by the Jammu and Kashmir police in the state, figures reveal.
Besides Police, the government currently has deputed many departments like Legal Metrology, Consumer Affairs and Consumer Department to check the black marketing and over charging of the essential commodities.
If Consumer Affairs and Public Department (CAPD) officials are to be believed the department imposes fine on thousands of the traders in the city on the charges of overcharging prices of essential commodities like Sugar, flour and vegetables of which a record is not being kept.
"It has become a routine here that the traders and even the vendors overcharge on essential commodities. Our task force tours to various city markets and those who are found violating are being booked and fine is imposed on them," an official from the CAPD said.
The black marketing and price hike is usually rampant during the winter season when the Srinagar- Jammu National Highway witnesses closure for long time.
Recently the police has arrested three persons, including two Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) drivers, for dumping two sugar laden trucks in Chanapora for black marketing in Srinagar and has launched investigations.
Further to check the black marketing, the department so far has failed to set up the fair price shops as was announced by the former CAPD minister.
Currently the price of essentials including vegetables and other commodities have soared s which is giving a tough time to the consumers.
Haakh which would be sold for Rs.20-30 per Kg some five years ago has touched to Rs. 50-70 per Kg now. Same is the condition with other vegetables and fruits of which the price has sky rocketed. Market analysts say that there has been a whopping hike of above 300percent on vegetables and fruits from last decade. Economists suggest that government needs to waive off the tax over certain things to check the frequent profiteering. "In an open economy the government don't have much control over the markets but our government can waive off tax from fuel which can bring respite to the consumers," they said. It is worth to mention that at 7.9%, J&K's inflation rate higher than national average.
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