Livestock prices across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar jumped drastically over the last two weeks despite assurances from the authorities that there would not be any significant rise in prices.
Although the prices of sacrificial animals go up every year ahead of Eid Al-Adha, but the officials last month assured that the prices will remain stable.
The rise in livestock prices was this time seen in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor city and Bihar's Patna city.
"There is inflation. Compared to last year, it is double this year. The goat which was available at Rs 6,000 Last year, costs around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 this year," Mohammed Anish, a customer, said.
Reportedly, more than two million pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year. They will assemble in Mina, 12 km outside Makkah, at the start of the pilgrimage in preparation for their journey to Arafat the next day. About one million foreign pilgrims have already arrived for Haj.
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Eid al-Adha or the feast of sacrifice will be celebrated across India on Monday (October 6).
However, the people continued to buy the livestock for the 'holy sacrifice' irrespective of the high prices.
"I have come here to buy an animal. I have been roaming since an hour but haven't got any. The rate is excessively high," Mohammed Aslam Qureshi said.
The animal traders were also affected due to the inflation."I have brought buffaloes to sell. Many customers are coming but nobody is buying," said Mohammed Shenawaz, an animal trader.
Meanwhile, the number of customers and traders in Patna seemed far from waning.
"I sell it on a higher rate. This year I have sold goats which fetched a total price of Rs 1,20,000," said Iqbal Ahmed Faridi, a livestock trader, in Patna.
As part of business tactics, the traders name their cattle after the name of the Bollywood stars to attract customers.
