JAMMU, Jun 3: President of Mission Statehood, Sunil Dimple, has alleged that the Jammu administration has failed to take action against the rising prices of essential dairy products and food items, causing hardship to common consumers.
Addressing the media, Dimple claimed that despite repeatedly bringing the matter to the notice of Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, and Rakesh Manhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, no effective steps have been taken to check the alleged arbitrary increase in the prices of milk, curd and paneer.
He alleged that the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has become ineffective and has failed to conduct raids against black marketers and traders allegedly charging higher prices. Dimple demanded immediate inspections of milk, curd, paneer and sweet shops to verify the authenticity of rate lists being displayed by traders.
According to Dimple, the prices of curd have allegedly increased from Rs 60 per kilogram to Rs 70 per kilogram, while milk prices have risen from Rs 55 per litre to between Rs 65 and Rs 70 per litre. He further alleged that paneer prices have increased from Rs 290 per kilogram to Rs 320 per kilogram.
Dimple said that he had contacted both the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner regarding the issue but did not receive a satisfactory response. He appealed to the media to investigate and expose what he described as a nexus behind the price hike and questioned whether the increases had been approved by the concerned authorities.
Expressing concern over the impact of inflation on economically weaker sections, Dimple said that rising prices of milk and dairy products have made it difficult for poor families, domestic workers and daily wage earners to provide nutritious food to their children.
He also highlighted the rising prices of vegetables, including onions and tomatoes, along with wheat flour and other essential commodities, stating that inflation has severely affected household budgets and placed an additional burden on common citizens.
Dimple further alleged that some agencies have stocked LPG cylinders and are indulging in black marketing, claiming that domestic cylinders are being sold for as much as Rs 2,000 and commercial cylinders for Rs 4,000.
He criticized the functioning of the Food Supply Department and the Jammu Municipal Corporation, alleging that the authorities have failed to curb rising prices of milk, curd, food grains, edible oils and pulses, leaving poor and middle-class families struggling to meet their daily needs.
Demanding immediate intervention, Dimple urged the administration to launch market inspections, take action against violators and ensure that essential commodities remain affordable for the general public.