SRINAGAR: With Eid-ul-Fitr round the corner markets on Wednesday witnessed a heavy rush of shoppers with people laying their hands virtually on everything that came in their way. Shoppers complained of increase in prices of essential commodities. However the Minster of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, (CAPD) Chowdray Ramzan claimed that checking squads conducted market inspections to curb inflating rates of commodities.
The commercial hub of the city stretching from Jehangir Chowk- to Poloview on both sides of Jehlum was virtually chocked with Eid shoppers.
People could be seen jostling against one another to make space for movement as pavements and some stretch of the streets were occupied by the vendors who have erected stalls to show case varied commodities, ranging from food items to household accessories.
Gift shops, garments showrooms, foot wear and crockery shops were abuzz with activity but bakery and confectionary shops were the main attractions.
Long queues could be seen outside the bakery shops particularly on the Residency Road, housing some of the Valleys famous confectionary and bakery shops.
Fire-cracker sellers in Mahraja Bazar here also did a brisk business despite attempts by environmentalists and religious preachers to dissuade the use of them.
The other shopping hubs, like Batmalu and Nauhatta-Jamia Masjid were also bustling with activity.
Many shoppers, who spoke to KNS¸ complained that price of vegetables, fruits, and other items have been arbitrarily increased manifold by traders in view of Eid.The CAPD Department is doing nothing to curb this problem. The claims of having constituted market checking squads seem to have fallen flat because the traders have increased prices of commodities arbitrarily, said Shabir Ahmad, a customer at Lal Chowk.
The rush of people triggered frequent traffic jams at various places especially across the Dalgate-Batmaloo stretch where most of the people happily emptied their pockets to buy their favorite items. Imparting a colorful touch to the shopping frenzy, children accompanied by their parents were seen engrossed in choosing their favorite toys, colorful dresses and footwear.
TRAQFFIC CHAOS
Meanwhile the Eid eve rush is giving a tough time to the men in blue in maintaining the traffic and ensuring smooth flow vehicles along the Exchange and Residency roads here.
It took me 45 minutes to reach Jahangir Chowk from Dalgate, said Jasim Rasool of Nishat. Pertinently hundreds of vendors have occupied footpaths along the Amira Kadal and Residency road leaving virtually no space for the pedestrians and too many vehicles passing through too little times means the bridge remains choked throughout the day.
MARKET CHECKING
When contacted the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) Minster Chowdary Mohammad Ramazan said that they have deputed many checking squad to Srinagar markets and other markets in the valley and fined thousands of rupees from erring traders for violating rate lists. I urge the people that if they find any trader or shopkeeper selling commodities at higher prices, they should contact us. We will take action against them, he said. It is very sad that we hardly receive any complaints when authorities conduct market checks. That time nobody complains about soaring prices.
POULTERY FARM SEALED
Authorities Wednesday sealed three poultry farms in South Kashmirs Pulwama district for supplying and selling dead and diseased birds to consumers.
Reports said that after receiving continuous complaints from the people, Tehsildar Pulwama, Altaf Ahmed raided some poultry farms and recovered hundreds of dead and diseased chicken. The said officer also raided various shops at Pohu, Badobagh, Littar and other areas and recovered diseased poultry from the shopkeepers. We imposed fine on these shopkeepers and sealed at least three poultry farms, Altaf Ahmed said.
The three poultry farms that were sealed belonged to Shakil Ahmed Dar, Manzoor Ahmed Baba residents of Pohu and Merajudin of Badoobagh Pulwama.
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