Mutton traders association protest, read details here
Srinagar, Jan 17 (KB): The Unity Mutton Traders Association recently held protests in Srinagar’s Press Enclave, calling for their mutton shops to not be sealed. They argue that the closures are causing financial difficulties for their families. The association also threatened to go on a hunger strike. In response, the Assistant Director of Enforcement in Srinagar took notice.
The president of mutton traders, yesterday protesting at Srinagar’s press enclave have told Kashmir Bulletin–(KB), that the Government should fix a proper rate, rather than sealing their shops. “Our issue is our shops are being sealed, and we have been dealing with the same problem for the last two years. More than one hundred shops have been sealed, and it is very painful for us, and we are continuously requesting the government to do justice to us.”
“If justice was not provided to us, then we along with our families, will do a hunger strike. We want the government to not seal our shops on a daily basis and we are told it’s a license issue and something being told that it’s a rare issue. If it’s a rare issue, why isn’t it renewed, we have received Rs: 535 per KG rate, two years back,” he said.
We want to ask the authorities, why our shops are being sealed on a daily basis, and are we forced to suffer. In Kashmir we have a lot of communities, but if no one is targeted, why only our community is being targeted? Asked Mutton Traders Association President, Mohammad Saleem Mir.
“Lastly the government has provided us with a rate of Rs: 480 per KG, and our association respected the design and we sell our goods at the same rate, but, the Government is not renewing our rates for the past two years and we are selling on the same rate of Rs: 535 per KG,” said Mohammad Saleem.
“90 percent of our goods come from outside of Kashmir, and as you all are aware that the rates are touching sky day by day. Our goods come from Rajasthan, Delhi and also from other areas, which also includes traveling charges, and other things also. Our demand to the authorities is to, do justice with us, open our shops and provide us better rates, otherwise we will go on hunger strike after two days. ” He said.
When contacted assistant director’s enforcement Srinagar, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani he told KB that, the enforcement team has been working continuously and has successfully collected a fine of Rs 6 Lakhs last year.
“As per the rate list is concerned, it is never onesides. When department issues rate lists, it is always two sided. The wholesalers and retailers are always present and, when they sign up on the documents only then the list is issued and provided to locals,” he said.
“We have to create awareness among common people, and if the government has fixed the rate at Rs: 535 per KG rates the people should properly bargain and they should raise a complaint. “If anybody provides you rates not as per government raise your complaint on our toll free contact number 18001807011.”
We are fighting for people and we are not targeting any individual, community,” assistant director enforcement Srinagar, Mushtaq Ahmad said. (Kashmir Bulletin–KB)
