Srinagar, July 03: The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) on Friday called off its strike after the Punjab government issued a communication addressing concerns over the movement of livestock vehicles through the state. However, the association said the order does not fully meet its demand.
KMDA General Secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said the association received a letter from the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab, following intervention by the Jammu and Kashmir government.
However, he said the communication was not the specific order the association had been seeking, as it does not explicitly exempt livestock vehicles transiting through Punjab from the cattle fair levy.
“We had requested the Punjab government to issue clear orders that cattle fair charges should not be imposed on livestock vehicles merely passing through Punjab. The letter does not categorically state that. Instead, it focuses on grievance redressal, proper documentation and appointment of nodal officers,” Mehraj-ud-Din said.
He added that despite its reservations, the association decided to withdraw the strike after being informed that the Punjab government had directed authorities not to unnecessarily stop livestock vehicles at checkpoints.
“We were initially reluctant to accept the communication because it was not what we had expected. However, we have called off the strike for now and will closely monitor the situation on the ground. The real picture will become clear only after these directions are implemented,” he said.
The letter, issued by the Punjab government and accessed by KNO, states that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir forwarded a representation regarding the transportation of livestock from different states to Jammu and Kashmir. It has been alleged that while livestock-carrying vehicles pass through Punjab as a transit corridor, contractors operating cattle fair checkpoints collect fees from them.
The letter states that if livestock is purchased or sold within Punjab, the prescribed fee should be paid and the necessary documents obtained to avoid inconvenience during transportation. For vehicles transporting livestock from other states through Punjab, district authorities have been directed to verify documents relating to the purchase and sale of livestock and to address complaints regarding cattle fair fees through designated grievance officers.
District Development and Panchayat Officers have been instructed to appoint two nodal officers at the BDPO/Panchayat Officer level in border districts and one nodal officer in other districts. Boards displaying the name, designation, block, mobile number, and email address of the designated Grievance Officer for Cattle Fair purposes shall be installed at all cattle fair checkpoints.
The letter also states that provisions contained in Chapter IV of the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, relating to the transportation of animals from other states to Jammu and Kashmir, must be complied with. In case of any violation, legal action may be taken against the concerned vehicle driver.
The strike, which lasted for ten days, had disrupted the transportation of sheep from Punjab to Jammu and Kashmir, triggering concerns over a possible mutton shortage in the Valley, particularly during the ongoing marriage season—(KNO)
