WE THE PEOPLE
Huge consumption of mutton and poultry results in flight of huge capital from Kashmir valley to other places
Hence people urge Govt., to prompt concerned departments to strike balance between supply and demand
By: M. Shirjeel
SRINAGAR: Owing to geographical conditions the rate of consumption of mutton and poultry are considered the highest in Kashmir valley, while the local production is far below the overall demand. Such a wide gap between local growth and demand has been resulting in huge flight of capital every year. This is a serious situation and hence calls for reappraisal of our system to make it vibrant and responsive to our day to day needs. Once sheep and poultry are developed locally, the day shall not be far off to reverse the cycle.
We have vast lush green meadows and favourable atmosphere for the growth and development of sheep and poultry in Kashmir valley. Besides a large brigade of Experts is available, who can contribute their knowledge and skill to suggest means and methods to develop sheep and poultry both in Public and Private Sectors. What is actually needed is an Action Plan to identify areas and coordinated approach to achieve the targets. Since it will take some time to work out strategies, so the Administrators have to gear-up and control price-line and curb sale of sub-standard edibles to safeguard health of general masses in the Valley.
Pertinent to mention that the CAPDD was created to maintain price-line of essential commodities and ensure uninterrupted supply of edibles to the people of the State. The officials of the Department used to hold meetings with Kothedars/Poultry dealers every month and involve law-enforcing agencies to ensure operation of rates arrived and fixed in such meetings. The rate-lists used to be prepared and issued in consultation with all concerned and thus people would not face any difficulty in purchasing essentials. But with the passage of time, such exercises are seldom undertaken, which has encouraged black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding in Kashmir Valley. Although the shopkeepers display rate-lists at conspicuous places, yet there is no adherence to such lists and customers are fleeced with impunity.
It was during late eighties when Divisional Administration and people joined hands to forego consumption of mutton in the Valley. It forced the butchers to sell poultry instead of mutton and in the process, the rates slided down in the Valley. It was at that time that some unscrupulous elements sabotaged the plan formulated by the then Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and again the butchers resumed selling mutton at high rates. Therefore, the conscientious citizens call for cooperation between people and the State functionaries to devise a strategy to discourage consumption of mutton/poultry and instead take recourse to pulses and vegetables. The exercise as such, if undertaken with determination, can go a long way in reducing imports of sheep/poultry and send a signal across the country that Kashmiris can live without mutton/poultry.
“ In good olden days, Kashmiris would never face any shortage of mutton, poultry, milk and vegetables as people used to develop and grow such edibles in their own domains. Most of the houses had kitchen gardens, where vegetables used to be grown and poultry developed to meet their day to day requirements. The government departments would also help in meeting the local demand besides the functionaries of the erstwhile Srinagar Municipality would exercise frequent checks of Valley markets to ensure quality and curb black-marketing. Such checks would ensure sale of standard edibles, which would go a long way in eliminating diseases. The sanitary staff of the SMC would check specific gravity of milk and mutton would not be available without the seal of the concerned Health Officer. We had a few slaughterhouses in the city of Srinagar where sheep would be slaughtered after thorough examination. It is reported that many diseases have spread due to slaughtering of diseased animals and there is free sale of adulterated foodstuffs. There is no check on sale of spurious food items as is required under law of the land”, said a group of experienced persons of Kashmir Valley.
Hence people urge government to prompt concerned departments to strike a balance between supply and demand. Besides people must reduce consumption of mutton and set-up Committees to help checking squads in curbing black-marketing, profiteering and hoarding in Kashmir Valley. Until people realize their own responsibilities, the State functionaries cannot prove effective in curbing price-hike.
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