Srinagar, April 22: A sharp rise in electrical appliance prices across Srinagar has left consumers concerned, with rates increasing by up to 15 percent in recent weeks.
In Maisuma, a customer was seen arguing with a shopkeeper over the sudden spike in cable prices.
“I’ve been buying electrical items for over a decade. Just last month, a 15mm cable cost ₹1,200. Now it’s ₹1,800,” he said, before reluctantly making the purchase.
Retailers say such hikes are becoming common across markets, affecting items ranging from wires and cables to LEDs, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
Many traders have attributed the increase to global tensions and rising transportation costs.
“It starts with the manufacturers,” said a trader from Amira Kadal. “They cite higher oil prices, which make transportation expensive. That directly affects raw material costs and eventually the retail price.”
However, not all traders agree with this explanation.
An electrical store owner in Srinagar said the rise is largely limited to metallic components and had begun months before the current geopolitical tensions.
“Other items like irons and switches are still at similar rates. Only metallic items have seen a surge, and that started in December,” he said. “The Iran war isn’t the reason.”
A similar view was shared by wholesalers.
Mohammad Himayon, a Srinagar-based distributor, said key raw materials such as copper had already seen price increases prior to the conflict.
“Copper prices fluctuate in the stock market and had risen before the conflict began. That pushed up the cost of wires and cables,” he said. “After that, prices of other items like PVC, LEDs, and appliances also increased.”
He added that the trend is not limited to Kashmir but is being observed across India.
The price rise has also begun affecting demand.
“Earlier, we would restock every week, but for the past two months, we haven’t placed fresh orders,” said a trader from Lal Chowk, citing reduced consumer demand.
Consumers, particularly in the construction sector, say the impact has been significant.
Farooq Ahmed, a local builder, said he recently spent ₹25,000 more on wiring for a three-storey house compared to earlier costs.
“Wiring and plastic materials have become expensive,” he said.
The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation also acknowledged the price rise but said there is no shortage of stock.
“There is no stock crisis, but prices have gone up due to global factors. This is not limited to electrical goods—other materials have also become expensive,” said its president, adding that the issue has been raised with Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
Meanwhile, officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs said no formal complaints have been received so far.
“If complaints are brought to us, we can look into them. However, price fluctuations in open markets are not directly controlled by the department,” said Deputy Director Abdul Qayoom Ganie.
While traders continue to cite global tensions as a factor, inputs from sellers and distributors suggest that the rise in metallic raw materials, particularly copper, had already set the trend in motion months earlier.