Brick klin owners overcharging locals ,despite fixed Govt rates: Anantnag

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag 20 March: The brick klin owners here in Anantnag District are openly  over charging  customers and taking hefty amount from the buyers thereby resorting  to price hike in Anantnag District ,as per tipper of bricks costs around 29,000 to 30,000 against the original price of 21,000.

According to sources some brick kiln owners in Anantnag district have been selling bricks on exorbitant rates and have fixed  the rate of per tipper at Rs 29,000 to 30,000

Last year, the administration in Anantnag had fixed rate Rs 21000 per tipper , but unfortunately the brick klin owners are  selling the bricks at their own will, said Akib a resident of chee Anantnag. Akib said that the brick kiln owners in Anantnag district are paying no heed to the government’s fixed rates and refuse to sell the bricks at these prices, he said.

Added ,” I was disappointed after the brick kiln owners refused to sell me bricks at the government fixed rate.  The owners of the brick kilns clearly told me whether  I wanted to buy the tipper ,load of bricks,it will cost Rs 29,000 to 30,000 ,he said.

While talking to the Arising state another resident said that the owners of brick kilns are completely ignoring the government fixed rates for bricks. He said that he visited at least five brick kilns in Anantnag District, but all refused to sell bricks at government rates. These brick klin owners are charging exorbitant prices from buyers and they go unchecked.

He said that the price which was fixed by the Anantnag administration was Rs 21,000 per tipper,but the brick kiln owners are selling the same now at Rs 29,000 to Rs 30,000.

we have complained several times to the district officials, but unfortunately the officials are unmoved, he said.

However talking to the Arising state Mohd Ayoub chairman Brick klins Association Anantnag refuted the allegations and said that they have already passed directions to all brick klins in Anantnag to not overcharge buyers. “We are following the government rates here in Anantnag”,he said.

Adding ,”I will look into the matter and we have a meeting in coming days, I will raise the issue with all the brick klin owners, he said.

Meanwhile, talking to Arising state an enforcement official said that they have also received some complaints against the brick klin owners selling bricks at exorbitant prices,  ,”action will be taken against the owners “,he said.