SRINAGAR: Mutton traders from Jammu and Kashmir have urged the Punjab government to intervene in a dispute over taxes levied on livestock-carrying vehicles transiting through the state. The traders allege that these levies, imposed at checkpoints like Madhopur and Simbu, are causing significant financial hardship and disrupting the supply of mutton to the Union Territory.
Mutton Dealers Announce Strike
The Coordination Committee of the Mutton Dealers Association announced an indefinite strike, halting the import of livestock into Jammu and Kashmir. The association stated that no livestock-carrying vehicles would be loaded for the Valley until the issue is resolved. This action could lead to a significant shortage of mutton, particularly during the ongoing peak marriage season, a time when mutton consumption is highest in the region. Traders warn that existing stocks may only last for a few more days.
According to the dealers, vehicles entering Jammu and Kashmir via Punjab are being charged between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per truck. They claim these charges are unfair, as they do not procure livestock from Punjab but rather from states like Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. The traders allege that these levies are causing financial burdens, contributing to increased mutton prices, and ultimately impacting consumers across Jammu and Kashmir.
Political Intervention Sought
The traders have appealed to political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to personally intervene and raise the matter with the concerned authorities in Punjab. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reportedly taken up the issue with his Punjab counterpart, Bhagwant Mann, terming the action against Jammu and Kashmir’s mutton dealers as “unjustified.” He emphasized that the traders are using Punjab merely as a transit route and should not be penalized for passing through the state. Abdullah indicated that if the issue is not resolved by the Punjab Government, the matter would be raised before the North Zone State Council, with a request for the Centre’s intervention.
The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has also urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to engage with Punjab authorities to resolve the transit charges dispute. KTA President Aijaz Ahmad Shahdhar stated that the additional transit charges imposed by Punjab have created an “unjustified financial burden” on mutton dealers, forcing them to suspend supplies. The KTA highlighted that the issue has begun to affect the general public, with growing concerns over mutton availability in local markets, especially with numerous marriages scheduled in Kashmir.
Past Issues and Demands
This is not the first time such an issue has arisen. In the past, mutton dealers have reported similar harassment, prolonged stoppages, and excessive charges at checkpoints in Punjab. These issues have increased transportation costs and led to losses for traders, including the mortality of livestock due to prolonged halts in high temperatures. The traders are demanding clear guidelines on the enforcement of rules at checkpoints and an immediate resolution to prevent further disruptions to their business.
While Punjab authorities have previously accused Jammu and Kashmir mutton dealers of violating the Punjab Cattle Fairs Act, the dealers argue that the act does not apply to them as they are not procuring livestock from Punjab. They contend that they are being unfairly charged for livestock in transit.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
