Srinagar, July 03: The shortage of mutton in Kashmir is set to ease after the Punjab Government withdrew the levy imposed on vehicles transporting livestock through the state following intervention by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Confirming the development, All Kashmir Wholesale and Retail Mutton Dealers Association president Khazir Mohammad Regoo said the issue had been resolved after Punjab authorities revoked the disputed charge, allowing the smooth movement of livestock into Jammu and Kashmir.
The Valley had witnessed a disruption in mutton supplies after livestock carriers were allegedly subjected to a four per cent levy while passing through Punjab, leading to delays and increased transportation costs.
Regoo said a delegation of the association remained in Punjab for nearly 10 days and held discussions with government officials to seek withdrawal of the levy. He thanked the Punjab Government for resolving the issue and expressed gratitude to political leaders, the media and the public for supporting the traders’ cause.
The matter had also been taken up by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, seeking immediate intervention to ensure unhindered movement of livestock transport vehicles.
In his communication to the Punjab Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had pointed out that livestock-laden vehicles bound for Jammu and Kashmir were allegedly being stopped by contractor groups and made to pay unauthorised charges despite carrying valid permits and documents. He maintained there was no justification for imposing such levies on vehicles merely transiting through Punjab.
The Chief Minister had also stated that an internal committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department found that transporters were being compelled to make payments without any apparent legal sanction. The committee noted that livestock movement is exempt from GST and warned that the additional charges were increasing transportation costs, affecting meat prices and consumers in the Union Territory.
With the withdrawal of the levy, traders expect the supply of livestock to normalise in the coming days, bringing relief to consumers and stabilising mutton prices across Kashmir. (KINS)
