SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, seeking his intervention to stop the alleged unauthorised levy being imposed on livestock transport vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir transiting through Punjab.
In the letter, Omar said the issue had been brought to his notice by the All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Union, which had highlighted the difficulties faced by livestock traders and transporters while passing through Punjab.
According to the letter, livestock-laden vehicles bound for Jammu and Kashmir are allegedly being stopped by contractor groups operating in connection with cattle fairs and subjected to unauthorised fee collection despite carrying valid permits and the required documentation.
The Chief Minister said such interruptions were causing avoidable delays, financial losses and hardship to transporters, while also adversely affecting animal welfare.
Omar informed Mann that the matter had been examined by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs through an internal committee, which reportedly found that transporters were being compelled to make substantial payments per vehicle during transit without any apparent legal sanction.
The committee, he said, also observed that livestock movement is exempt from Goods and Services Tax (GST) and that the continued imposition of such charges was placing an additional burden on the livestock trade, with a consequential impact on meat prices and consumers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to the longstanding relationship between the two neighbouring states, Omar said Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir share historic bonds of friendship, cooperation and economic interdependence, adding that such practices, if found to be occurring, were inconsistent with the spirit of mutual cooperation.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that the tendering process relating to cattle fairs was likely to be undertaken shortly and said stakeholders had expressed apprehensions that, unless appropriate safeguards were put in place, such practices could continue during the forthcoming contract period, resulting in recurring hardship and financial losses to livestock traders.
Seeking immediate intervention, Omar requested the Punjab Chief Minister to have the matter examined and ensure the smooth, secure and unhindered movement of livestock transport vehicles through Punjab. He also urged that no unauthorised interference or collection of charges be permitted from transporters carrying valid documentation and complying with all statutory requirements.
“I shall be grateful for your support and cooperation in this matter,” Omar wrote in the letter addressed to Bhagwant Mann.
