Ensure availability of essentials during Holy Ramadhan: Monga to admin

Srinagar, Apr 22 (PTK): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President and MLC G N Monga today urged the authorities to ensure availability of essential commodities, including uninterrupted power and water supplies, during ensuing holy month of Ramadhan.

In a statement issued to PTK, he said that amid prevailing lockdown due to Cornavirus pandemic, the authorities must ensure availability of essential commodities in the market including vegetables, fruits, dates, poultry, mutton, besides timely supply of LPG, Kerosene, flour and sugar from the government depots to the consumers.

“The government should also ensure strict implementation of government approved rate list as prices of essentials, including vegetables and fruits, have skyrocketed in the recent weeks. There is a need for the constitution of special market checking squads to keep the check on profiteering, hoarding and black-marketing,” the Congress leader said. “The government should also provide free LPG, ration including rice, wheat and sugar to BPL and low income groups in Ramadhan in view of the lockdown.”

He flayed the administration’s decision to pick-n-choose some grocery stores for home delivery which has failed as people complain that they are facing acute shortage of essentials. “The authorities must allow provision stores, vegetable and fruit vendors and milk sellers to operate while ensuring social distancing and other protocols to prevent spread of COVID-19,” the Congress leader said.

While expressing concern over the dearth of essential commodities in the areas across valley designated as Red Zones, Monga said, “The areas designated as Red Zone are facing acute shortage of essentials. The strict containment measures and curbs in such designated Red Zones have triggered severe shortage of basic essentials as the locals living in these areas cannot step outside to purchase what is needed. It is duty of the government to ensure hassle free delivery of essential commodities in these Red Zone areas,” he said.

“Closure of all the business establishments and restricting people and vehicular movement in the Red Zones by the authorities is a welcome step to combat coronavirus. But before the enforcement of lockdown, the officials should inform the people about alternative arrangements made by them to supply essential commodities,” the Congress leader demanded. (PTK)