The protracted mutton crisis in Kashmir has been definitively resolved following the Punjab government’s decision to revoke a contentious 4% tax imposed on vehicles transporting livestock through its territory. This development comes after significant intervention from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who actively engaged with his Punjab counterpart to address the issue that had severely impacted meat supplies to the Valley.
The All Kashmir Wholesale and Retail Mutton Dealers Association president, Khazir Mohammad Regoo, announced the resolution on Friday, confirming that the dispute over what the association termed an “illegal” levy on Kashmiri meat traders has concluded. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the imposition of this tax had led to an acute shortage of mutton in Kashmir for a considerable period, causing hardship to both traders and consumers.
Regoo elaborated that the matter was settled after Punjab authorities rescinded the tax. He further stated that a dedicated coordination committee formed by the association had been actively working on the ground in Punjab for the past ten days. Members of this committee engaged with various officials within the Punjab government, ultimately persuading them that the tax was indeed unlawful. Regoo expressed profound gratitude to political leaders, the public, and the media for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal. Kashmiri traders had previously escalated their concerns to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other prominent political figures in the Valley, highlighting the severe economic repercussions of the Punjab tax.
Chief Minister Abdullah had publicly stated on Monday that he had taken up the concerns of the mutton dealers with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, requesting his immediate intervention. Abdullah had informed Mann that livestock-laden vehicles destined for Jammu and Kashmir were reportedly being halted by certain contractor groups associated with cattle fairs. These groups, it was alleged, were levying unauthorized fees despite the transporters possessing all necessary permits and documentation. Abdullah had emphasized that such actions were unjustified, particularly as the vehicles were merely utilizing the highway for transit.
The Chief Minister had also shared a letter he had penned to Mann on social media, detailing the gravity of the situation. In this correspondence, Abdullah had pointed out that these disruptions not only caused significant delays but also resulted in substantial financial losses and considerable distress for transporters. Furthermore, he highlighted the adverse impact on animal welfare due to the prolonged transit times. The Chief Minister noted that the matter was under internal examination by the Kashmir Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs through a dedicated committee. Preliminary findings indicated that transporters were allegedly being compelled to make considerable payments per vehicle during transit without any apparent legal basis. The committee had also observed that while livestock movement is exempt from Goods and Services Tax (GST), the continued imposition of these charges was creating an additional financial burden on the livestock trade, consequently affecting meat prices and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah reminded Mann of the long-standing bonds of friendship, cooperation, and economic interdependence shared between Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed that any practices found to be occurring were inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that has historically defined the relationship between the two regions and had understandably caused significant concern among the trading community. The resolution of this tax dispute is expected to normalize mutton supplies and stabilize prices in Kashmir, alleviating the economic pressure on traders and ensuring greater availability of the staple meat for the populace.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.