J

Srinagar, June 18 (UNI) The state of Jammu and Kashmir brings in mutton, milk and poultry worth Rs 16000 crores annually from different states of the country.

Expressing concern over the imports of almost all essential commodities, including vegetables, milk, poultry and mutton, the Minister for tourism and Horticulture Mohammad Dilawar Mir called upon the youth to opt for self-employment ventures in these sectors to help the state to come out from the deficit between production and consumption.

He said against a revenue of Rs 2000 crore from Horticulture sector, the state imports mutton, milk and poultry worth Rs 16000 crore, which is a matter of great concern.

He said Jammu and Kashmir Bank (JKB) limited had agreed to invest in the local industries and locals should take advantage of it.

According to an estimate about 30,000 poultry birds were being consumed daily in the valley. This, the officials said, is in addition to birds prepared during marriages and other functions.

They said about 5000 sheep and goats were also being consumed daily in the valley.

Meanwhile, there was no price control on almost all essentials, including vegetables, local packet milk, fruit, lemon and eggs.

The rates of majority essentials commodities were almost double against the government approved price.

A local private milk company increased the price of a one liter milk packet by Rs two. However, the company had now stopped selling the packet milk after the divisional administration said no prior permission was sought by the company for price increase.

The company has increased Rs six per liter during the past eight months.

The prices of almost all vegetables and other essentials has also increased manyfold.

UNI