Srinagar, July 19: Three months after the government fixed retail mutton rate at `240 per kilogram in the Valley, consumers here are complaining of overcharging by the dealers with authorities acting as mute spectators.
 Interestingly, the government had hiked the rates by `20 to `140/kg after the representatives of the mutton dealers assured that meat will be sold strictly as per government rates and “no customer will be forced to pay more.”
 Many consumers told Greater Kashmir that the mutton is being sold at `250 to `260/kg in the market. “Despite government fixed rates, we are being compelled to pay at least `10 or `20 more per kilogram of mutton,” said Abdul Hameed, a customer.
 The customers said in absence of any market checking by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, the butchers were having a field day. “We fail to understand why the department (CAPD) which is supposed to keep a check on the rates, is not doing its duty,” asked Hameed, adding that the butchers were also selling low grade meat in the market. 
 “The meat sellers don’t adhere to the rates fixed by the government. What can a customer do? If he/she argues with the butcher it at times leads to scuffle, yet no authority takes any action against them,” said Ghulam Qadir of Safakadal.
 General Secretary, All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj ud Din said that government should reign in by starting a drive to control the profiteering. 
 When asked why his association and others, which had extended an assurance to the government at the time of fixing the new rates that they would ensure the mutton is sold at government fixed rates, he said: “It is the government responsibility to launch market checking squad so that consumers might not face any problem. And also they should re-verify the licenses of mutton dealers.”
 He said that government should bar entry of illegal stocks in the Valley and check the licenses of wholesale dealers.
 “Around 80 per cent stock is imported to the valley without licenses. There is a need to keep a vigil on it because it gives rise to every problem. The government although committed to stop it is not doing its job,” he said.
 He apprehended that such a situation creates problems especially when the Ramzan and Eid are near.
 Director CAPD Abdul Wahid Tak was not available for comment.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST