Srinagar, Nov 13: The state government today threatened to cancel licences of those poultry dealers who do not adhere to the rate list for chicken, as the birds have disappeared from the markets ahead of Eid celebrations.
 "We can cancel the licences of those dealers who do not follow the rate list issued by the department," Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department Abdul Waheed Tak told PTI.
 Tak was responding to reports of poultry birds disappearing from the markets ahead of Eidul Azha after CAPD department fixed Rs 80 per kg of chicken few days earlier.
 "Not only the registered dealers have to sell as per the rates, they shall also keep enough stocks available," Tak said.
 Several poultry dealers' associations have decided not to sell chicken in protest against the Government rates, saying they would be running losses on these rates.
 They said it was surprising that the CAPD had reduced the rates of the poultry birds, while issuing fresh rate lists.
 "Earlier, we were selling at Rs 95 per kg and now they want us to sell at Rs 80 per kg. How is it possible when the prices of all raw material for poultry businesses is on the rise?" a spokesperson of the Urban Poultry Dealers Association said.
 However, Tak rejected the claim saying the department had raised Rs 5.00 per kg from previous rates. "There have been some instances where we found fake rate lists on display in which the prices were higher by 25 to 35 per cent. We have take action as per law against such dealers," he added.
 "The minimum the people can do is avoid paying higher rates and inform us so that action can be taken against the erring dealers," Tak said.
 Meanwhile, Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon today convened a meeting of high level officers to review the arrangements made in connection with Eid-ul-Azha.
 The minister is informed that this year the CAPD has fixed the rate of sacrificial animals at Rs 100 per kg for live sheep and Rs 95 per kg for goat and has also established 10 mandis within limit of Srinagar city.
 The people have been asked to sell and purchase their animals from the notified mandis only while the practice of selling sheep and goat has been strictly prohibited on roads.
 In view of Eid-ul-Azha, 80 per cent ration of the current month has already been dispatched for distribution to consumers, the spokesperson.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST