A disagreement has emerged between government assurances and ground concerns ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, with the administration claiming sufficient stock and advance preparedness while mutton dealers allege exclusion from stakeholder consultations and unresolved livestock movement issues from Punjab.
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, said the government has ensured adequate availability of essential commodities and strengthened departmental coordination well ahead of the festival.
“We have sufficient stock. All department officers came to the fair price shops. We could not reach due to some other meetings,” the minister said after reviewing arrangements for Eid-ul-Adha.
Sharma, said preparations for key festivals were initiated in advance to avoid last-minute shortages and disruptions.
“This is the first time we have prepared for Muharram nearly two months in advance. We have also prepared for Eid-ul-Adha,” he said, adding that preparedness has become essential due to global uncertainties.
“We have to do everything in advance due to the geopolitical situation. The world is unpredictable, but we have to be ready,” he added.
The minister assured strict action against hoarding, black marketing and irregularities in essential commodity markets. “There is sufficient stock. Some complaints have been received, but strict action will be taken. This time, we will set an example,” he said.
However, mutton dealers in Kashmir said the ground situation does not reflect official claims, alleging that stakeholders have not been taken into confidence ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
They said no structured pre-Eid meeting has been held yet, leaving traders without clarity on supply planning, pricing coordination and livestock management strategies.
General Secretary of the Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA), Mehraj-ud-Din, questioned the status of communications sent to Punjab authorities regarding livestock movement for months, saying there has been no update shared with stakeholders.
“What happened to the letters sent to Punjab? Has there been any response? We are not being informed about anything,” he said.
Mehraj-ud-Din said that expected pre-Eid stakeholder meetings had not taken place yet this year, and no formal consultation was held with mutton dealers.
He said issues related to livestock movement from Punjab, including delays and stoppages, remain unresolved despite repeated complaints.
“The J&K administration says it has written three times to Punjab, while we have received no response or update. As Eid-ul-Adha approaches, the government claims sufficient stock and preparedness, but questions remain over earlier concerns and demands,” he said.
