Market Anarchy in Kashmir as Prices Spiral Amid Absence of Government Control

Muneeb-ul-Islam

Srinagar, Dec 1 (KNT): Prices of essential commodities have surged sharply across Kashmir, pushing consumers into deep financial strain as government departments appear missing from the ground, leaving markets virtually unregulated.

Despite the Srinagar–Jammu highway remaining open for uninterrupted supplies, rates of everyday food items have touched unprecedented levels. The administration’s failure to enforce price control or monitor supply chains has resulted in what locals describe as “complete market chaos.”

In Srinagar and nearby districts, a tray of eggs is selling at Rs 240, while the price of chicken has shot up to Rs 170 per kilogram. Fruits and vegetables are being sold without any uniform pricing, with vendors openly discarding official rate lists and charging customers arbitrarily.

Consumers say they are confused about which agency is responsible for market regulation. There is no clarity on whether the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, municipal bodies, or district administrations should be enforcing rates. In this vacuum, several private trader associations are reportedly deciding the prices themselves, further complicating the situation.

Rate lists displayed outside shops have become a formality, residents say, as the actual selling prices vary widely. Complaints to officials have yielded no action, while surprise inspections—once common—have become rare.

“The market is in total anarchy,” said a resident of Dalgate, Srinagar. “No one knows who has the authority. Traders decide prices in the morning and change them again by evening.”

Consumer rights groups say the government’s absence has emboldened sellers, while genuine traders feel compelled to follow the unchecked pricing trends. This has directly impacted middle- and working-class families, who are already grappling with shrinking incomes and high unemployment.

On the streets, the crisis is evident: vegetable rates swing daily, chicken prices differ from locality to locality, and even basic food items have become unpredictable.

Public frustration is growing, with citizens accusing the authorities of abandoning their responsibility to ensure fair market practices. With winter demand increasing and no intervention in sight, consumers fear further price hikes in the coming weeks.