Prices of sacrificial animals rise on eve of EId

Livestock dealers in Kashmir Valley have increased the rates of sacrificial animals by more than 30 per cent, even as the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department admits it cannot intervene in open market, saying rates are not being regulated but controlled by larger supply so that people are not fleeced.
"There are no fixed rates for the sacrificial lambs and goats, it is open market. We do not regulate the rates. But we see to it that consumers are not overcharged and people are not fleeced," Deputy Director, CAPD Sajid Naqash said here.
He said the department ensures that there is abundant supply of such animals which in turn leads to decline in their rates.

"Price regulation is done on the basis of demand and supply of the products. The department has to ensure there is abundant supply and the rates will automatically come down. More supply means less rates," he said.
Naqash said the department has designated seven markets for selling sacrificial animals to the people for Eid-ul-Zuha and its squads ensure that people are not fleeced.
"We have designated mandies (markets) for these animals. Our enforcing squads are permanently there to make sure there is no overcharging," he said.
However, people complain that the dealers have increased the rates and the department was not doing enough to keep them in check.

"While the government rate was Rs 175 per kg for a live animal, the dealers are selling it for Rs 220 per kg," Abdul Hameed Shah, a resident of downtown area of the city here, said.