Srinagar, Apr 12: Facing stiff resistance from mutton dealers for past few weeks, the government is contemplating to hike mutton rates in Kashmir valley. 
 An official wishing anonymity said the government has decided to compensate the dealers for “hike in Value Added Tax on sheep” by increasing the mutton rates.
 “A meeting is expected to take place between representatives of government and mutton dealers on Tuesday and hopefully hike is expected to be announced there to break the standoff on the issue,” sources said.
 Notably the mutton dealers and retailers went on a strike following some hike in VAT rates on sheep. As per new rule a live animal will be levied Tax of Rs 135-150. Earlier the same animal was charged 35 rupees only.

Mutton Shortage
 As winter gives way to summer, marriage season take off in the Valley as such the absence of mutton created worries. Several consumers in the uptown Srinagar complained that they had to defer marriage or other functions because they could not procure the mutton. 
 “We had to postpone engagement of my daughter due to non-availability of mutton. It is quite difficult to get mutton here. If at all someone sells it, it is at exorbitant rates,” said Ghulam Hassan of Hyderpora.
 “The government should negotiate with the dealers as it has put us at odds,” said a renowned restaurant owner in commercial hub Lal Chowk.
 Several mutton dealers blamed the government for this stalemate as they are not interested to rollback the VAT hike, nor enhance the mutton rates.
 “We simply put our point either waive off this new VAT rate or hike the rates of mutton. The government is not coming up with anything. They just want time,” said a mutton dealer Muhammad Ramzan in Karan Nagar admitting ‘people are suffering due to its shortage’.
 Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department Abdul Wahid Tak said a decision on the issue was expected tomorrow. “A meeting is going to take place and hopefully this strike would end. We understand people are suffering,” Tak stated.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST