BUDGAM : Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the brick kiln owners have resorted to price hike in Kashmir Valley as one Tipper load of bricks costs around Rs 30,000 as against the original price of 18,000 per 3,000 bricks.
Locals said that the brick kiln owners have been selling bricks at exorbitant rates and they are selling “B Grade” bricks as “A Grade” at a price of around Rs 30,000 per 3000 bricks.
They said that the normal price which was fixed by the government was Rs 18,000 per 3000 bricks i.e. one Tipper load but the brick kiln owners are selling the same now at Rs 30,000 to Rs 33,000.
Although the District Magistrate of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, after issuing government orders during the last year, after a long consultation with the Brick Kiln Owners Association in the Valley, it was agreed to fix Rs. 21000 per 3000 bricks. The total amount per 3,000 bricks was fixed at Rs 21,000.
However, this order has been reduced to dust within a few months and the price of 3,000 bricks has been increased to Rs 30,000 to Rs 33,000 by Mid-March 2020.
In the midst of this situation, the silence of the government officials and the concerned department seems to be a nexus between the law implementing agencies and brick owners as the brick owners are selling bricks at their choicest prices.
In areas like Barrow and Chadoora, most of the brick kilns are deliberately locked, especially under the pretext of the Airport Authority’s objection, so that with the increase in demand, the owner can increase the prices on their own will.
Despite increase in the price of bricks like petrol with the passage of winter season does not seem to be less than a big challenge to concerned officials as they are in deep slumber.
Meanwhile, District administration Budgam is still unable to take formal steps in this regard.