Srinagar: Despite authorities’ assurances that they had taken action against poultry vendors selling chicken at excessive rates, there seems to be little respite for customers on the ground.
Customers all around Srinagar are complaining about the high cost of chicken, which they claim is harming their budgets.
The government has regulated the price of chicken at 130 rupees per kilogramme, but buyers complain that merchants are charging far more than the official-approved rate list.
According to a market study conducted by this reporter, chicken is sold for Rs 160 per kilogramme in the heart of Srinagar and Rs 165 per kilogramme on the outskirts of Hazratbal.
According to the customers, despite their repeated requests, the authorities are not taking serious measures to solve the matter of violating its own authorised pricing list.
“As the authorities relax their guard, these sellers begin charging rates based on their whim, without regard for set prices.” “The concept of sticking to the price list is non-existent, and when we question the vendor about it, they ignore us,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a Srinagar resident.
Consumers in Hazratbal’s suburbs, such as Batapora, Burzahma, Gasoo, Tailbal, and Soura, say that since there are no market inspections in their region, chicken merchants may charge outrageous prices. Consumers urged authorities to improve market surveillance in the region so that they would not suffer.
“As there is no check, there are daily arguments about rates at the chicken shops.” The authorities claim that they have boosted market inspections, yet chicken vendors continue to take us for a trip. How can a low-income family afford chickens when prices are skyrocketing? Because there is no check in our region of Hazratbal, we get chicken for 165 Rs, which is Rs 35 more than the official rate,” said Farooq Ahmad, a Hazratbal resident.
Locals said that if strong safeguards are put in place, they would not be inconvenienced.
Following a series of reports in this publication on the subject, the FCS&CA department said over a month ago that they would boost market checking on the ground. According to the department, three teams are on the ground investigating the problem. However, customers claim that market inspection has ceased post-Ramadan, causing them problems.
Abdul Salaam Mir, Director of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, said that they would order enforcement teams to clamp down on retailers that violate the government-mandated pricing list.
“We will increase market checks to address the issue.” “I will direct enforcement teams to increase market checking in these areas so that consumers are not inconvenienced,” Mir added.
