Overpricing ahead of Eid

As the people were seen buying essentials ahead of Eid in the last couple of days, the overpricing of the essentials in the markets has once again haunted the people in the Valley especially in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar. It seems that the concerned authorities are acting as mute spectator as there has been no end to the exorbitant rates of essentials in the markets. With people coming out to buy essentials during the four hours relaxation for some permissible activities, the shoppers have been forced to pay Rs 600 for per kg of mutton. The government has recently fixed the rate for the mutton per kg, but the butchers are floating the orders and have been openly selling the meat at exorbitant rates. Such a norm violation has been ignored, thus simultaneously leaving the poor people to lurch at large. There are many other essentials especially the food stuff that is being sold at exorbitant rates. One fails to understand why the authorities concerned have failed to take action against the norm violators. The rich can afford any rate, but the poor can’t. Thus, keeping in view of the sufferings of the poor and downtrodden section of the society, the government should ensure stringent action in this regard and ensure that the essentials are being sold at set rates. The overpricing of mutton, chicken and other items must be dealt with strictly as per the law.