Srinagar: All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association Thursday said that the shortage of meat in the Kashmir Valley is not artificial in nature.
The Association said that there are grievances that need to be addressed amicably, however, the attitude of the administration has been forcing people associated with the trade to close down their shops.
Mehrajuddin-a senior member of the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association told news agency Kashmir News Trust that shortage of the meat presently in Valley has a lot to do with the callous attitude of the administration. He said the sealing of meat shops can’t be justified at a time when there is too much inflation.
“The fuel prices have gone up. Prices of domestic gas cylinders are touching the sky. When there is a hike in every product, how can you expect mutton dealers and butchers selling the meat at the constant rate,” he questioned.
“When you start sealing the meat shops without any reason, it hits the trade. Others take a cue and refrain from buying and selling the meat to the consumers at low prices,” he said.
Mehrajuddin said that the administration was supposed to take a review meeting on rate fixation but it didn’t take stakeholders on board and unilaterally issued an order to thrust rates on the butchers.
“There was no review meeting on rate fixation that was scheduled to take place on March 18 last month. Let the administration take the stakeholders on board before imposing any fixed rate. Meat dealers can’t run their business on losses,” he said adding that the supply of meat to Valley is also low due to the ongoing Navratri. (KNT)
