Though control over prices of essential commodities is an issue of concern for any government in any part of the world, but keeping in view the topographical position of Kashmir valley the issue of price rise attracts huge public concern during chilly months of winter in Kashmir. The time when rains and snow disrupt movement of vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu Highway, the price control measures are immediately invoked to combat the forces of hoarding and black marketing in Kashmir valley. Unfortunate it is that the authorities of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Directorate entrusted the responsibility of keeping prices of essential commodities in control choose to remain confined to their offices the time when they are supposed to visit the markets for controlling the prices of essentials in both urban and rural areas of Kashmir valley. Though they depute market checking squads to markets for the regulation of prices of essential commodities in cities and towns immediately after heavy snowing shuts both the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and as well as the roads connecting Srinagar with other major townships of Kashmir valley but it is also an irrefutable fact that they stop visiting markets immediately after partial restoration of essential commodities on Jammu-Srinagar highway. Fact remains that black marketing and hoarding of essentials goes unnoticed during early winter months of November and December when such practices need to be curbed with a heavy hand.
Quick response of the FCS& CA (Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs) department Kashmir to the rising prices of essentials in peak winter months is by all standards of understandabilities the only way to combat increasing hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities during chilly months of winter in Kashmir valley as otherwise it is no use to send flying squads to markets after the restoration of movement of essential commodities on Jammu-Srinagar highway.
To combat forces of black marketing and hoarding it is imperative for the Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department to put into place proper price control measures in Kashmir valley well in time in view of it’s vulnerability to shortage of essential during chilly months of winter. Though unprecedented delays caused in the implementation of price control measures does not go unnoticed during chilly winter months in Kashmir but FCS & CA (Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs) Department wakes up too late for them to mitigate the sufferings of the victims of hoarding and black marketing in landlocked Kashmir valley. Quick response of the FCS& CA (Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs) department Kashmir to the rising prices of essentials in peak winter months is by all standards of understandabilities the only way to combat increasing hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities during chilly months of winter in Kashmir valley as otherwise it is no use to send flying squads to markets after the restoration of movement of essential commodities on Jammu-Srinagar highway.
