Junaid Majeed
Srinagar, Dec 26: When the National Conference (NC) was not in power, it was vocally critical of the administration, especially during the tenure of the Lieutenant Governor. The party, having emerged as the single largest after the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, was known for engaging actively on social media, participating in debates, and addressing public issues. However, since assuming power, the NC’s public discourse has noticeably quieted down, leading to speculation about whether their silence is self-imposed or influenced by the dynamics of being in governance.
The most pressing issue currently facing Kashmiri households, regardless of socioeconomic status, is the sudden doubling of prices for traditional Kashmiri bread, known as ‘Kandur Tchot’. What used to cost Rs 5 per piece is now priced at Rs 10, marking a 100% hike. This staple, integral to daily meals in Kashmiri homes, has become a topic of significant public concern, yet there has been a surprising silence from the NC government.
The issue has been extensively discussed across media and social platforms, but the government’s response has been notably absent. The Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) has declared its inability to manage the price surge, attributing this to a loss of mandate to regulate market prices since June 2023. This deregulation came into effect after the issuance of SO 300, which revoked earlier regulations like SO 145(E) that allowed price control on essential commodities.
Residents like Irshad Ahmad from Srinagar’s downtown area express their shock and adjustment to the new prices. “I used to buy 16 pieces of Lavasa and Girda for Rs 80, but now with the price doubled, I can only afford half that amount,” he lamented. The hike has caused distress, particularly among the middle and lower-income families who rely on this bread daily.
Bakers justify the price increase, explaining that the cost of ingredients has also risen dramatically. Muhammad Ashraf Sofi, a baker from Baramulla, stated, “We have no other option but to increase prices due to the skyrocketing costs of our ingredients.” This has led to a debate on whether the government should intervene or if the market should self-regulate.
Javid Ahmad from Batamaloo voiced the concerns of many when he said, “The government seems to have given bakers a free hand to hike prices arbitrarily.” The FCS&CA’s response has been one of helplessness, with a senior official clarifying that the department no longer has the legal authority to fix prices due to the recent changes in regulation.
The lack of governmental action or even commentary on this issue raises questions about the NC’s priorities or capabilities in addressing public distress. The silence might reflect a complex interplay between market freedom and consumer protection, or it could indicate a strategic political silence aimed at avoiding confrontation with market forces or acknowledging regulatory failures.
This scenario underscores a broader challenge in governance: balancing market dynamics with the welfare of the populace, especially in regions like Kashmir, where traditional practices and economic conditions intersect so vividly. The NC government’s silence on this matter might be indicative of deeper systemic issues or simply a recalibration of political strategy in the face of new administrative constraints. However, for now, the Kashmiri public awaits a response, or at least an explanation, from their leaders on this significant change in their daily life.
