kashmiri residents are confronting a high rate surge in vegetables as well as food packs following the government’s decision to remove regulatory controls on essential commodities, prices now set independently by traders and vendors, the cost of staple foods has soared to unprecedented levels, intensifying the financial strain on households,Inflation in food items shot up to 11.53 per cent last month against 3.11 per cent in August. This was led by 48.73 per cent inflation in vegetables as against (-)10.01 per cent in August.Vegetable inflation surged from 10.7% in August to a 14-month high of 36% in September, while fruit price rise gained momentum to hit 7.65% from 6.5% a month earlier.Vegetable prices have crossed the records with peas now selling at Rs 180 per kg, collard greens at Rs 80, and potatoes at Rs 60 to 70 Rupees per Kg.Traders caught violating the government-mandated rates were subject to penalties, which helped keep essentials within reach for most families.Without a monitoring body, consumers are left to cope with sudden, unpredictable changes in prices, with no way to hold vendors accountable.Meanwhile, small businesses that rely on these ingredients, such as local restaurants and food stalls, are struggling to maintain profitability without raising prices.
