Mutton dealers warn of price hike, allege government’s inaction in resolving transit issues

Srinagar, Nov 24: Mutton dealers in the Kashmir Valley on Monday warned of an imminent hike of at least Rs 50 per kilogram in retail prices, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to long-pending problems faced by livestock transporters.

Mutton is currently sold at Rs 700 per kilogram, and traders say the rising operational costs will soon make it impossible to maintain the existing rates.

According to the dealers, truck drivers transporting livestock from outside states—particularly Haryana—are being forced to pay steep, arbitrary transit charges at multiple checkpoints. Transporters allegedly face frequent harassment, unnecessary stoppages and unaccounted payments, all of which cumulatively inflate the cost of bringing livestock into the Valley.

They said the persistent issues have been raised “time and again” with the administration, but no concrete steps have been taken to streamline the process or provide protection to transporters.

Dealers also expressed disappointment that the issue was not taken up during the Punjab Chief Minister’s recent visit to Srinagar, despite the matter being directly linked to interstate movement of livestock. They said the omission shows a “lack of seriousness” and sends a message that the rising market rates are “acceptable” to the authorities.

General Secretary of the Meat Dealers Association, Mehraj-ud-Din Ganie, said that the situation has reached a point where traders feel cornered. “We are being compelled to raise the prices of meat by at least Rs 50. This is not something we want to do because it will hit the common people,” Ganie said. “But what choice do we have? Transporters are being charged huge sums on the way. The government has not issued even a single statement or taken a single step to address this.”

Ganie said the “exploitative charges” are pushing transporters away from the sector, leading to shortages and delays. “If the system continues like this, we may soon face supply gaps. The burden of government inaction will eventually fall on the consumer,” he added. Dealers stressed that the Valley’s livestock supply chain is delicate and heavily dependent on smooth interstate transit. They said even minor disruptions trigger shortages, affecting both availability and pricing.

They urged the administration to immediately intervene, hold discussions with neighbouring states, and introduce clear, uniform transit guidelines to protect transporters from arbitrary penalties and harassment. The dealers also demanded regular monitoring of checkpoints, accountability for unauthorised collections and dedicated grievance redressal mechanisms. “If the government steps in, the prices can be stabilised. But if nothing changes, the market will be forced to revise rates, and the people will suffer,” Ganie said.