Mutton dealers end strike in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 24: The authorities in Kashmir have buckled under pressure of mutton dealers in the Valley by accepting their demand to hike the rate of meat to Rs 240 per kg from Rs 220.

"The administration has fixed the rate of meat at Rs 240 per kg and has directed mutton sellers to buy the meat from dealers at the new rate," an official spokesman said.

Mutton dealers in the Valley are on strike for more than a month demanding increase in the rate and reduction in taxes.

"The meat sellers are directed to open their shops and provide meat to the consumers of the Valley within two days.

The decision in this respect was taken at a high level joint meeting held here yesterday under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon," he said.

The locals here had to suffer over the last one month due the non-availability of mutton in the market.

Consumption of beef had increased manifold over the last few weeks and most of the restaurants took away the mutton cuisines from their menu owing to the strike.

However, the mutton dealers association has vowed to continue their strike till the government rolls back the taxes imposed on mutton during the recent budget.

The spokesman said Divisional Commissioner has assured the dealers that their concerns about the Value Added Tax (VAT) will be discussed with the state government.

PTI