Prices of Essential Items in the affected areas of Uttarakhand has shot over 20 times in the Flood hit Devastated areas of Uttarakhand.
According to well placed sources, the prices of food items have been raises inappropriately by opportunist trying to take undue advantage of the situation.
Shopkeepers are charging at will, making it difficult for poor people to survive. If a hotel’s usual rates are Rs.500 per night, they are now charging Rs.1,500. One Pilgrim had to pay Rs 400 for two small packets of chips and two bottles of water.
Below is an indicative price chart of few items
WATER BOTTLE : Rs:150/-
ONE CUP RICE : Rs:500/-
ONE ROTI : Rs:180/-
Gas cylinder : Rs:7000/-
HOTEL RENTS RAISED FROM Rs:500/- TO Rs:1500/-
SMALL PACK OF CHIPS : Rs:100/-
SINGLE PARATHA : Rs:250/-
56-year-old flood victim and Dehradun local Manohar Lal Mauriya, who has been rescued and admitted to the Doon Hospital here, said the exploitation of distraught travellers has saddened him. “I had to pay Rs 40 for a small bowl of rice. There was no food available anywhere,†said Mauriya.
“Taxi drivers are demanding Rs 3000-4000 for a journey that would normally cost Rs. 1000. All our money has been exhausted. We are helpless,†another pilgrim complained.