Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): Amid the closure of roads, Inflation has broken all the previous records in the several Himalayan villages located near Pithoragarh district on the Indo-China border. The people have to spend more to buy essential items in these villages. Salt is being sold at Rs130 per kg, while sugar and flour are being sold at Rs150 per kg. Mustard oil is being sold between Rs275 and Rs300 per kg. Malka dal is priced Rs200 per kg and rice is also being sold for Rs150 per kg. Onion is being sold for Rs125 per kg.
With the closure of roads in the high Himalayan areas of Munsiyari, Darma and Vyas valley of Dharchula, the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing.
Besides, the roads and pedestrian routes connecting these areas are also closed. In dozens of villages in the high Himalayan regions, including Burfu, Laspa, Ralam and Lilam, the prices of essential goods have increased up to eight times. In such a situation, if the essential goods are not provided by the government and the administration in these villages, the situation can get worse.
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Meanwhile, local MLA Harish Dhami has demanded the government to send essential items to the local government shops situated in the high Himalayan regions. He said that much relief could be provided to the people of these villages if the government provides the daily use items through the shops.
Dhami said that if the administration provides daily essential items like salt and oil through the affordable government shops, then it will give relief to the villagers. At the same time, District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan has directed the District Supply Officer and the Deputy District Magistrates of these areas to ensure the supply of essential goods as well as to take strict action against black-marketers.
The people living in these frontier areas are also called the first guards of the border. These people go for agriculture and animal husbandry in the higher Himalayan regions for six months, while during winter they come to the lower areas to avoid snowfall. But this time, the roads connecting the high Himalayan areas are damaged at many places following which high transportation costs are being charged even for essential goods supply to these areas. The prices of essential items are skyrocketing mainly because of this. The local people are seeking some immediate intervention from the authorities, otherwise the situation will become worse.
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