A strike by mutton traders has seen supplies disappear from markets across the Kashmir Valley, with traders alleging harassment and illegal collection of fees from livestock transporters on Punjab roads. The disruption has prompted Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to write to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seeking immediate intervention.
In a letter dated June 23, Omar said the issue had been brought to his attention by the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union, which complained that livestock traders and transporters from Jammu and Kashmir were facing serious difficulties while transiting through Punjab.
ALLEGED ‘UNAUTHORIZED FEES’
According to the letter, groups of contractors operating in connection with livestock fairs were stopping vehicles loaded with livestock bound for Jammu and Kashmir and forcing them to pay unauthorized charges despite carrying valid permits and all required documents.
Omar wrote that such disruptions were causing avoidable delays, financial losses and difficulties for transporters, as well as negatively affecting animal welfare.
The chief minister also referred to the findings of an internal committee of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir.
The committee reportedly concluded that carriers were being forced to make substantial payments per vehicle during transit “without any apparent legal penalty.” It also observed that movement of cattle is exempt from GST and continuous collection of such charges was imposing additional burden on cattle trade, eventually affecting meat prices and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir.
APPEAL TO BHAGWANT MANN
Seeking Punjab’s intervention, Omar wrote: “I would request your kind intervention to look into the matter and ensure smooth, safe and unhindered movement of livestock transport vehicles across Punjab.”
He also called on Mann to ensure that “any unauthorized interference or collection of fees by carriers carrying valid documentation and complying with all legal requirements is not permitted.”
The letter added that the tender process relating to livestock fairs was likely to begin shortly and warned that unless safeguards were introduced, such practices could continue into the next contract period, leading to recurring financial losses for livestock traders.
CALLED BY A SAFE BROKER
Omar said Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir shared long-standing ties of friendship, cooperation and economic interdependence, adding that any such practice, if found to be taking place, was inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation between the two states.
With mutton traders on strike and supplies affected across the Kashmir Valley, the chief minister has urged the Punjab government to ensure a safe and unhindered corridor for livestock transportation and put an end to the alleged harassment at the earliest.
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