DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Apr 11
In a resounding display of public discontent, activists from the Dogra Front and Shiv Sena, led by President Ashok Gupta, organized a protest rally in [Location] today, condemning the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department for the soaring prices of flowers and the rampant adulteration of fasting staples during the festive season.
While the government of Jammu and Kashmir implements price regulations for items during Muslim festivals like Eid, ensuring stability and affordability for consumers, a stark contrast emerges during Hindu festivals such as Navratri and Karwachauth. The protestors lamented the exorbitant price of flowers, a staple during these occasions, currently being sold at an unjustifiable rate of Rs 200 per kilogram, burdening the pockets of consumers.
Adding fuel to the fire, concerns over adulteration in essential fasting items have reached a boiling point. Despite the government’s prescribed price of Rs 290 per kilogram for cheese, consumers are falling victim to the sale of adulterated milk products in the market, exploiting the increased demand during Navratri. Additionally, the prime staple of Navratri, special flour (Kuttu Ka Atta), has reportedly been contaminated with sand particles, posing serious health risks to consumers.
Ashok Gupta emphasized the urgent need for punitive measures against those involved in black marketing and adulteration, stressing the role of regulatory bodies such as the Metrology Department and the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in intensifying inspections to curb such malpractices. He urged authorities to prioritize the protection of consumers by enforcing stringent regulations and ensuring the availability of unadulterated festive staples.
Criticism was directed towards the Director of Food & Supply for purportedly turning a blind eye to these pressing issues, with protestors accusing the department of being complicit in perpetuating the problem. The demand for immediate intervention and accountability from the authorities reverberated throughout the protest.
The protest rally witnessed a unified front, with participants from various sections of society, including Abhishek, Ashish, Bantu, Prem, Vinay, Devinder, Suresh, Amit, and numerous others, standing in solidarity against the injustices faced by consumers during the festive season.
As the protest rally concludes, the onus lies on the authorities to heed the demands of the people and take decisive action to address the grievances raised. The public remains vigilant, awaiting concrete steps towards ensuring fair pricing and the eradication of adulteration in essential festive staples. Stay tuned for further developments as efforts to safeguard consumer rights intensify.
