THURSDAY, 03 October 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Leading up to the festival season, the higher costs of vegetables, clothing and Pooja items are affecting the finances of the general public. Notably, this year, with the start of the festive season and the beginning of Sharadiya Navratri on October 3, there has been an average 2o per cent increase in the prices of Pooja items. In addition, prices of various other goods have also risen. Considering this, numerous customers have voiced their concerns regarding the growing inflation of festival products over time.
Owner of a shop selling Pooja items at Dhamawala, Vijay Sharma said that the prices of Pooja items tend to fluctuate each year as the festive season approaches. He added that this year, the festive season starting with Navratri will see a slight increase in prices of Pooja items. He informed that this year, prices of Pooja items which include oil for lighting lamps and sacred threads have gone up by an average of 20 per cent.
Another owner of a Pooja material shop Ujwal Jain stated that this year there has been a significant price rise in essential items used for Navratri celebrations. The cost of sesame oil, popular for lighting Diyas, has risen from Rs 160 to Rs 500 per litre. Similarly, camphor packets for Pooja have also seen a price hike from Rs 50 to Rs 150, he added.
Along with these items, it has been observed that the cost of fasting essentials like dry fruits which include cashews, has surged from Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per kilogramme. However, the inflation is not limited to religious items, as prices of vegetables, clothing and even gold have escalated, impacting the finances of the general public.
Local resident Gauri Kaushik said that inflation has been observed over time, resulting in higher prices of essential domestic items that have impacted their household budget. Kaushik suggested that the government should prioritise providing affordable necessities for the public and act in the public’s best interest. Many other residents have also raised similar concerns about rising prices of these items before the festive season.
