Cattle sellers demand waiver in taxes

Sacrificial animals’ prices shoot up ahead of Eidul Azha

RAWALPINDI:

The purchase of sacrificial animals has gained momentum in Rawalpindi with Eidul Azha only days away. The presence of small and big sacrificial animals is seen in almost every street and neighbourhood of Rawalpindi.

People of all ages are busy serving their animals throughout the day while leading the animals in flocks or individually is the new activity for children. The animals are being decorated using different paraphernalia and the enthusiasts remain awake throughout the night. Further, the influx of visitors in the 15 cattle markets of Rawalpindi has caused an increase in the prices of sacrificial animals.

The vendors justify the increase stating that they have paid separate entry fees for each animal besides paying heavy bills for water and power connection.

They said that the rates of fodder are also high and they had to pay a heavy amount to get their animals transported to cattle markets from remote areas.

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The vendors said sacrificial animals’ prices would reduce by 30 per cent if the government waived all taxes and fees on animals on Eidul Azha.

A market survey conducted by this scribe showed camels are being sold between Rs100,000 to Rs250,000 while the prices of goat and sheep vary between Rs90,000 and Rs150,000. The average price of a cow starts from Rs100,000 and goes as high as fourfold. The transporters are demanding up to Rs3,000 for moving the animals from cattle markets to the buyers’ destinations.

The rates of animal fodder have also risen exorbitantly while professional and seasonal butchers have sharpened their knives to fleece people.

The rates to slaughter a cow on the first day are between Rs15,000 and Rs17,000 and around Rs3,000 for a goat and sheep. The slaughter rate for a camel is around Rs20,000. The rates will reduce on the second and third days of Eidul Azha.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2021.