As Eid ul-Fitr approaches, the valley has seen a massive influx of shoppers, with people flocking to bakeries, clothing stores, and poultry shops to make festive purchases. However, locals are facing a significant challenge as shopkeepers and street vendors have hiked prices by 25% to 35% on essential items, including bakery goods, clothing, and chicken.
Expressing his frustration, a local resident said, “The prices of everything necessary for Eid have skyrocketed. Shopkeepers have particularly increased prices, leaving us speechless and helpless.”
Another local shared his concerns, stating, “For the past decade, the economy has been in decline, and now inflation in the market is making life even harder. The poor are suffering, and no one seems to care—not the employees, nor the traders.”
Residents have expressed disappointment over the lack of government intervention. They allege that the Food Safety Department conducts market checks only once a month or week, after which shopkeepers revert to their usual practices. Locals are urging the authorities to take more consistent and strict action to prevent price gouging during the festive season.