SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured mutton dealers of Jammu and Kashmir that his government is taking all necessary measures to resolve issues affecting the transportation of livestock through Punjab and ensure smooth supplies to the Union Territory.
The assurance came during a meeting with a delegation of mutton dealers, who called on the Chief Minister and raised concerns over difficulties faced by traders and transporters during the movement of livestock through Punjab.
Minister for Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana and Minister for Transport and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma were also present during the meeting.
The delegation informed the Chief Minister that transit-related challenges have affected the uninterrupted movement of livestock into Jammu and Kashmir and sought government intervention to address the matter.
After hearing their concerns, Omar said the government was committed to protecting the interests of traders, livestock transporters and consumers by ensuring that all obstacles affecting livestock movement are removed.
The Chief Minister said a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government will soon visit Punjab to hold discussions with the authorities concerned and find an early and practical solution to the issues being faced by livestock transporters.
The move follows Omar Abdullah’s earlier communication with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, wherein he had urged the Punjab government to facilitate hassle-free movement of livestock and address the concerns raised by transporters from Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, Mann had assured that the matter would be examined on priority and necessary steps would be taken to resolve the issue.
The upcoming visit of the J&K delegation is part of a follow-up mechanism between the two governments aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring an early resolution of the matter.
