Time to fix responsibility

With the skyrocketing prices of essentials in the markets, the poor people in the Valley, especially in Srinagar, are being pushed to the wall as the authorities entitled to curb the norm violations, have failed to ensure adherence to the rate lists of the food stuff and other essentials. The Enforcement Wing of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, once instrumental in conducting market inspections, controlling prices and preventing black-marketing, appears largely dormant, with no major enforcement activity reported in recent years. As the major market inspections have gone for a toss, the people, belonging to the downtrodden section of the society, are being left with no option, but to buy the essentials as per the rates of the vendors and shopkeepers, which they are fixing as per their will. Vegetables, chicken and mutton rates change from shop to shop without any control. It has been observed that a few inspections are reported in select districts during the special occasions like Ramadhan, Diwali and other festivals, but these drives have never sustained in the Valley. The Enforcement Wing’s limited activity and lack of strong punitive powers have allowed price manipulation and quality compromises to persist. Such a situation needs to be put to an immediate end as the government must have to take a call by holding the concerned department and officers responsible for showing a leniency in this regard. At this juncture, it is imperative for the concerned to take strict action against those found selling the essentials without displaying a rate list. The time has come to take stern action against an unfair trade practice across the Valley.