MARCH: Authorities on Friday assured that deadlock over mutton rates would end by next week, as hectic deliberations were going on between the two sides.
Deputy Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mohammad Akbar said the issue would have been resolved, had dealers agreed to the rates recommended by the committees formed to visit livestock Mandi’s outside the Union Territory to assess the rates to be fixed.
He said the committees had suggested rupees 515 per kilogram meat but the dealers did not agree to the suggestion following which the impasse continues.
The committees had visited various mandi’s in Delhi, Rajasthan, Ambala and Amritsar to find out the prevalent rates there, before submitting the reports.
“Both the committees had suggested rupees 515 per kilogram, however dealers did not agreed. But I hope the impasse would surely be over by next week as the representatives from both sides are busy deliberating the issue,” Deputy Director told the media.
He said that government had some three months ago fixed rate of mutton @ 480 per kilogram, however the mutton dealers, commission agents and retail sellers out-rightly refused to sell mutton on government prescribed rates.
Mohammad Akbar further said the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir had approved committee’s rates; however mutton dealers again refused the recommendation.
“Div Com called a meeting on February 27, which was attended by all stakeholders and finalized the rates suggested by the committees. Mutton dealers however pressed on @ 550 per kilogram, following which the meeting remained inconclusive,” he added.
