People in the Kashmir valley are facing a crisis situation in the month of Ramzan due to shortages of fresh fruits and vegetables in the market, as supply trucks are facing problems on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in what’s called ‘Indian occupied Kashmir’.
According to the Joint Secretary of New Kashmir Fruit Association, Parimpora, Shahid Chaudhry, the highway ban and the fresh order of toll taxes will affect the supply chain and prices may escalate, putting an extra burden on consumers.
He said, "We are not able to cater to the demand of consumers as our supply trucks are being stopped frequently at multiple checkpoints, often for several days. No truck is allowed to pass without paying a bribe to the police at Udhampur and Ramban districts."
He said that the unnecessary stops had resulted in huge losses to business because traders are forced to throw away the spoiled fruits and vegetables. "These curbs must end, otherwise, we will face a crisis situation in coming days with prices shooting up," he added.
