Deadlock over mutton pricing nearing end

Govt, trade committees ready to submit report
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 27: The tussle between Government and Mutton dealers is nearing to end as the committees formed to visit livestock Mandis outside the state for exact pricing has ready to submit report to the Government.
The provincial administration fixed the retail price of meat in the valley at Rs 480 per kg in early November this year, which was flatly rejected by mutton dealers, commission agents and butchers, but the government took action against butchers selling meat at extra prices.
After the butchers’ resentment, partial strike and artificial shortage of meat, the Kashmir Economic Alliance offered to mediate in the matter.
They suggested that they visit outside states to review the prices of sheep, goats, livestock and meat there.
Officials partially agreed with the proposal and formed a two-member government committee comprising the Department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Assistant Director Dr.Baba and member from sheep and husbandry department.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Economic Alliance also formed a 15-member committee comprising journalists, traders, industrialists and stakeholders who visited outside UT markets since last Sunday.
Sources said Kashmir Economic Alliance visited Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Sekar Rajasthan and other markets to review the prices of sheep and goats, while the government committee also visited Sekar Rajasthan and Delhi.
The visit of Kashmir Economic Alliance and Government Committee has been completed and both the committees will soon submit their review report to the provincial administration and the concerned department.
Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) says it has compiled data in all markets, and the 15-member committee will meet soon in Srinagar, during which the report will be compiled.
KEA co-chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar said that during the one-week they visited all the markets outside the states where the meat is supplied to the valley, and during this time the also monitored illegally collected money in many places besides interstate taxes.
“The committee will also submit its report to the Administration in this regard keeping in view all the details and documents,” Dar said
He said that in this report not only the prices of meat should be fixed, but will also propose to the Consumer Affairs Department and the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to organize this trade, solve the problems, faced by the butchers, mutton dealers and commission agents.
Dar further added that his report would be based on fair and independent review and opinion as KEA as civil society not represents the people involved in the trade and government but the people and consumers.( KNS).