Says unauthorised fee collection impacting meat prices, consumers in UT
Warns of taking issue with Centre, North Zone Council
Srinagar, Jun 29 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called the action against Jammu and Kashmir’s livestock and mutton transporters in Punjab as “unjustified”, saying he has once again urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to stop the alleged unauthorised collection of fees from livestock carriers transiting through the state.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Buyer-Seller Meet at SKICC here, Omar said the issue has remained under discussion with his Punjab counterpart for the past several months.
“I have been in touch with the Punjab Chief Minister for months and have written to him again. Our mutton dealers are only using Punjab as a transit route. They are not purchasing livestock there. They should not be punished merely for passing through the state. The action against them is unjustified,” he said.
The Chief Minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), warned that if the issue remains unresolved, the Jammu and Kashmir Government will raise it before the North Zone State Council and seek the intervention of the central government.
Abdullah said he has written to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann seeking his personal intervention to ensure the smooth, secure and unhindered movement of livestock consignments destined for Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a letter, accessed by KNO, CM Omar said the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union had complained that livestock-laden vehicles carrying all valid permits and statutory documents were allegedly being stopped by contractor groups operating in connection with cattle fairs in Punjab and subjected to unauthorised fee collection.
“Such interruptions are causing avoidable delays, financial losses to traders, hardship for transporters, and adversely affecting animal welfare,” he said.
Referring to the findings of an internal committee constituted by the J&K Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Abdullah said the panel had found that transporters were reportedly being compelled to make substantial payments per vehicle during transit without any apparent legal sanction.
The CM further said that livestock movement is exempt from GST and that the alleged collection of unauthorised charges was placing an additional financial burden on the trade, ultimately impacting meat prices and consumers across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the close economic and social ties between the two neighbouring regions, Omar said such practices, if found to be taking place, run contrary to the spirit of cooperation that has traditionally defined relations between Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Chief Minister also drew Punjab’s attention to the impending tendering process for cattle fairs, saying traders fear the alleged practice could continue during the next contract period unless safeguards are introduced.
Seeking immediate action, Omar requested Bhagwant Mann to have the matter examined and ensure that transporters carrying valid documentation are not subjected to unauthorised interference or illegal fee collection while transiting through Punjab.
Meanwhile, commenting on the International Buyer-Seller Meet, CM Abdullah said the initiative is aimed at expanding Jammu and Kashmir’s exports by bringing global buyers directly to the Union Territory.
He said around 40 foreign buyers from nearly 15–16 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Australia are participating in the event, alongside artisans, self-help groups, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), startups and entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to a question on the impact of the recent West Asia conflict, the Chief Minister said only a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the ceasefire process has been signed so far. He expressed hope that peace would hold and the agreement would be implemented without disruption. (KNO)
