Srinagar : This Ramadan, Kashmir experienced a significant decline of approximately 30 percent in mutton sales apparently due to no regulation of mutton prices in Kashmir. According to rough estimates around Rs 3 crore worth of sheep are being consumed daily during the holy month so far.
Though Mehraj ud Din, General Secretary of the Mutton Dealers Association said that nearly 15 to 20 trucks of sheep have been arriving in Kashmir on a regular basis this year, compared to 30-35 trucks in previous years but allegations are galore the decline in mutton sales has been triggered by the soaring prices of mutton not controlled through market checking by FCS&CA Department’s enforcement wing for more than a year now. Kashmir has incurred losses amounting to crores of rupees, with sales plummeting by nearly 30 percent.
“This year, the daily sale of mutton in Kashmir is estimated to be around Rs 3 crore, with mutton being sold at Rs 700 per kilogram,” Mehraj said, adding that the total mutton consumption in Kashmir during Ramadan is valued at approximately Rs 84 crores. Most of the consumers say that price of Rs 700/- a Kg is totally unaffordable for the people of lower income groups in Kashmir.
