Srinagar, Nov 24: Meat dealers in the Kashmir Valley on Monday said they are considering a hike in meat prices, alleging that the government has shown no seriousness in resolving long-pending issues affecting the trade. The dealers said truck drivers transporting livestock from outside states, particularly Haryana, are being forced to pay hefty sums as transit charges, making the business increasingly unviable.
They said repeated pleas to the administration have brought no relief. The dealers also criticised the government for not raising the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister during his recent visit to Kashmir. According to them, the continued inaction reflects an intention to indirectly push up meat prices in the Valley.
General Secretary of the Meat Dealers Association, Mehrajuddin Ganai, told KNT that the situation has compelled them to consider revising the rates. He said such an increase would adversely affect the public, but dealers feel cornered. “We are being forced to raise the prices of meat which will be unproductive for the people. The fault lies with the government, which has not issued a single statement in this regard,” he said.
Dealers urged the administration to intervene immediately to prevent further escalation in market rates. [KNT]
