Suhail Bhat
Srinagar Feb 25: A deadlock between mutton dealers and the administration over meat rates has caused the worst crisis in the Valley with people demanding an end to this impasse.
Kashmiris are enthusiast meat-eaters with an annual consumption of around 51,000 tonnes of mutton worth Rs 1200 crores, of which 21,000 tones are imported from outside. But, for the last two-three months, the administration’s efforts to regulate the prices have met resistance from the dealers and led to disruptions in the meat supply. This has taken a toll on the taste buds of the people.
The disagreements between dealers and the administration began after latter found dealers selling meat at exorbitant rates and fixed Rs 480 per kilograms as the retail price in November last year. Even though some butchers sold meat at the fixed rates, most of the dealers refused to sell it at these rates and shut mutton shops across the Valley.
To find an amicable solution to the crisis, Kashmir Economic Alliance and FCSCA sent a fact-finding teams to various outside wholesale livestock markets to find out the factual position about rates and other charges.
A 15- member fact-finding team visited different meat markets in Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Sekar Rajasthan, and other markets to check the prices of sheep and goats. Both the teams submitted their findings with the government, who is studying them thoughtfully?
Director CAPD, Bashir Ahmad told Excelsior that the administration is analyzing the reports that the two-fact finding teams submitted after visiting the outside Mandis. “Reports are being examined by a committee headed by Divisional Commissioner. It will decide after studying both the reports carefully,” he Ahmad said.
All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association (AKWMDA) president Mehraj-ud-Din told Excelsior that the fact-finding team has submitted a report and they are hopeful it will end the deadlock.
The deadlock is, however, taking a toll on the people who are finding it difficult to find meat with most of them complaining of falling prey to erring retailers. “They usually sell Mutton in the wee hours at exorbitant rates and that too to selected customers. Some of them work from their homes. People who have a good relationship with the butcher and ready to buy it at exorbitant rates without revealing the actual rates can get meat. It’s impossible for others, even if he is ready to pay Rs 1000 per kilogram,” Bilal Ahmad, a consumer, said.
He, however, questioned that if the meat is scarce in the market, then how mutton is available in restaurants, hotels, and other places.
Some butchers told Excelsior that they are selling mutton to restaurant owners instead of consumers for profit.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, PK Pole assured that the administration will take a call in a few days. “They will resolve the matter in the next few days. We are on it,” he said.
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