Srinagar: A crucial meeting between the government and the mutton dealers of Kashmir failed to break the ice as the two sides couldn’t find out a solution to end the stalemate.
According to a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government held a meeting with the mutton dealers and other traders regarding the rates of mutton in the Valley on 27 February. “The reports compiled by the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and the government itself were not considered for fixing the fresh rates,” the mutton dealers said.
They said that the reports submitted by the government officials and the traders should have been considered. “It seems that the government is thrusting its decision on us despite going through the facts,” they said.
President Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj-ud-din told KNO the government officials have submitted a report to the department in which they have stated that the Valley is receiving mutton at the cost of 497 rupees in wholesale while KEA has mentioned the amount as 518 rupees. “There are different wholesale rates coming to the fore and the government is sticking to its rigid policy and is trying to thrust its decision on them,” he said.
He said the government in a meeting although increased the rate from 480 rupees to 515 rupees, adding that the new rates too are not favorable for the mutton dealers and thus simultaneously rejected it as well.
“We want that the reports submitted before the government should be considered to bring a lasting solution in this regard,” he said, adding that the next meeting has not been fixed yet. (KNO)
