Jammu vs. Kashmir: Shocking Price Divide — Why Is the Valley Paying Double for Essentials?
Srinagar, Feb 22, In a glaring economic contrast, consumers in Jammu enjoy affordable prices and generous discounts, while their counterparts in Kashmir grapple with soaring costs. The stark disparity has left Kashmiris questioning whether they are being unfairly burdened due to systemic neglect and geographic disadvantage.
In Jammu’s bustling markets, daily essentials are available at strikingly low prices. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and tomatoes sell for just ₹20–25 per kg. Medicines, though labeled with MRP, come with discounts as steep as 60%. Winter clothing, blankets, and household items are nearly half the price compared to Kashmir. Even Kashmiri bakers in Jammu sell bread for ₹5, while the same loaf costs ₹7 in Kashmir.
In contrast, Kashmiri consumers face relentless inflation. Bills are rarely issued, medicines are often sold above MRP, and textiles, utensils, and groceries carry exorbitant price tags. “We pay double for the same essentials,” lamented a shopper in Srinagar. “Why are we forced to bear this economic injustice?”
Jammu’s marketplaces are flooded with discounts—50–80% off on ready-made garments, 20–40% on fabrics, and heavily reduced prices on crockery. In Kashmir, however, retailers dismiss consumer grievances, making affordability a distant dream. The growing economic gap has fueled frustration, with some questioning whether Jammu operates under Delhi’s economic influence while Kashmir remains sidelined.
As winter tightens its grip on the Valley, the economic burden is set to worsen. Skyrocketing heating costs, overpriced essentials, and a lack of regulatory oversight have sparked outrage. “Why are the authorities asleep?” asked a Srinagar-based trader. “If Jammu can thrive, why can’t we?”
The widening price disparity raises serious concerns about economic fairness in the region. As Kashmiri consumers brace for further hardships, the pressing question remains: Will the government intervene to level the playing field, or will the Valley continue to freeze under economic disparity?
