Vegetable prices skyrocketing in Kupwara, people suffer

SUHAIL YOUSUF SHAH

Kupwara, Feb. 25: The vegetable prices in the border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir are touching the sky while the concerned authorities are in deep slumber.

The skyrocketing prices of vegetables and other commodities have left the common people in distress.

As the local residents said, the sharp rise in vegetable prices are becoming a headache for the people in Kupwara as poor people cannot manage their household budgets that are already under stress due to COVID-19.

Another resident of Kupwara town said that all vegetables in the markets are skyrocketing and one fails to understand how he will manage things on a meagre income.

He went on to say that despite earning 300-400 per day, he has no choice but to spend a large sum of money on vegetables and other necessities.

Another resident of Drugmulla said the local shopkeepers are currently selling tomatoes at 40 RS per kg, onions at 50 RS per kg and 20 RS per kg at high rates due to the blocked national highway road. 

Mohammad Aslam, a local labourer, said, “We are a family of five members and have to spend at least Rs 150 a day on vegetables alone. At this rate, if we have to dedicate Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for vegetables alone per month, how can we take care of other expenses?

He requested the district administration to look into this matter so that poor people would not suffer anymore.

The local residents said the concerned department’s tall claims of conducting market checks are hotly held on the ground.

They have urged the authorities to conduct regular market checks in the town to curb the skyrocketing prices of vegetables and other essential goods.