WE THE PEOPLE
Lack of requisite number of slaughterhouses has encouraged sale of sub-standard mutton in Kashmir
Hence people urge Govt., to set-up abattoirs in every district and enforce quality control to ensure safety to humans
By: Zaina Khan
Srinagar: With fast development in the field of Science and Technology at global level, there has been lot of improvement in the quality of life. The standard of living has improved, which has ensured longevity and thus span of human life has increased. Many killer diseases stand controlled, especially in advanced countries of the world, but much remains to be done in several parts of the world including Kashmir valley.
It is to be kept in mind that quality of edibles has direct bearing upon human health and as such Authorities incharge of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department along with Srinagar Municipal Corporation should have focused attention on the quality of all items of human consumption. They should have enforced requisite Acts and Laws to ensure quality products to discourage adulteration. However, establishment of slaughterhouse at Wanihama Ganderbal was a good step, but single abattoir is not the solution to ensure quality of mutton in the Valley. The State functionaries had assured that both rates and quality of mutton would be improved, but it is not so and as the mutton continues to be sold at Rs.180/- per kg against the approved rate of Rs.125.
It is pertinent to mention that Wanihama abattoir is not going to ease the situation as shops of butchers are spread over the entire Valley and it is not practicable that all of them would be able to get their sheep slaughtered at one centre and then sell the same simultaneously at their sale-centres. It would be advisable to set-up abattoirs in each district where checking process could be made possible. This would not only facilitate easy movement of the stuff to respective shops, but would provide standard mutton to consumers. Moreover, the rate fixed by the Government is not practicable as mutton is usually imported from Delhi and other States where its rate is much higher than that fixed by the Government at Srinagar. How is it possible that the mutton dealers shall purchase it at a high rate and then sell the same at a much-reduced rate. The officials of CAPDD and others connected with the process need to put their heads together and arrive at a rate after due consultation with the Kothidars so that the consumers get mutton at a reasonable and practical rate.
Besides the CAPDD has fixed rates for other edibles and the shopkeepers continue to display such charts on their shops, but these have become showpieces as the consumers are charged exorbitant rates for poultry, vegetables, pulses, Bakery and for other edibles. The consumers are left with no choice, but to follow the dictation of the vendors. Some checking squads do appear at times in Kashmir markets and penalize the shopkeepers for selling edibles at high rates, but such exercises are allegedly conducted for publicity purposes. Had there been honest intentions on the part of State functionaries, then they would conduct such checks regularly and enforce the rates approved by the Committee. It is alleged that such officials are in league with those indulging in profiteering, black-marketing and hoarding. When the custodians of law and order are not up to the mark then one cannot expect better results. No writ of the Government can run effectively until and unless its executors are of proven integrity and rates are based on proper analysis and bear intimate relationship with the prevailing market conditions.
The Government has created Departments of Sheep Husbandry to boost production of sheep and poultry so that imports are discouraged and exports encouraged. But the market conditions are altogether different. Crores and crores of rupees are being flown outside for the purchase of mutton and poultry every month with no decline in the flight of capital from the State. This is a sorry State of affairs and reflects badly upon the functional mechanism of our Departments. Equally people are responsible for shortage of such items as their ancestors used to develop both sheep and poultry themselves to a great extent. There was no question of importing such items from outside markets, but the cycle stands reversed completely today.
Hence people urge Govt., to set-up abattoirs in every district and enforce quality control to ensure safety to humans. Moreover, the rates for consumable items need to be reviewed to ensure their implementation. Similarly, the Department of Animal Husbandry should be charged with the responsibility of opening outlet centres for sale of poultry to discourage imports.
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