Cattle markets face price squeeze complaints

Govt deploys municipal authorities, Suthra Punjab officials across province

LAHORE:

Traders and buyers in the cattle markets in Lahore have complained of overcharging and strict restrictions ahead of Eidul Azha.

Traders at the Shahpur Kanjran cattle market, the largest permanent livestock trading centre in Punjab, alleged that fees for animal entry, fodder and space allocation were being collected above the officially approved rates, increasing the financial burden on sellers and ultimately driving up sacrificial animal prices for buyers.

The complaints come as the Punjab government intensifies preparations for Eidul Azha, deploying municipal authorities and Suthra Punjab officials across the province to regulate cattle markets, ensure sanitation arrangements and crack down on illegal roadside sale points.

According to traders, the official entry fee is fixed at Rs200 for goats and Rs500 for large animals. However, several livestock sellers claimed they were being charged as much as Rs1,000 for large animals, while separate amounts were allegedly being collected for fodder, straw and wheat feed.

Traders alleged that feeding troughs and smaller spaces inside the market were being allotted for nearly Rs100,000 instead of the officially prescribed Rs60,000, while larger enclosures were reportedly being rented out for Rs250,000 to Rs300,000.

"The animals were already expensive this year, but these extra charges have pushed prices even higher," said a trader from south Punjab.

Livestock sellers from various districts claimed that despite the Punjab government's announcement of free entry into cattle markets, excessive charges were allegedly being collected at several markets across the province, allegedly with the connivance of contractors and some officials.

The controversy has emerged at a time when livestock markets across Lahore are witnessing slow trading despite a large supply of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid.

According to officials, Shahpur Kanjran alone has the capacity to accommodate 15,000 large and 45,000 small animals.

In addition, the Punjab government has established five temporary cattle sale points at Saggian, Wagah Sports Complex, Barki Road, LDA City and Raiwind.

The temporary sale points can accommodate around 150,000 animals.

Despite the availability of animals, traders say buyer turnout remains lower than expected. "For the past week, most visitors have only been window shopping," said a goat trader at the Saggian sale point. "People are bargaining heavily, but actual purchases are still slow."

Some buyers, meanwhile, complained that livestock prices were nearly 25 per cent higher than last year.

"I have visited the market twice, but the prices are unaffordable," said Muhammad Ilyas, a visitor at the Saggian sale point. He urged the government to regulate the prices.

However, the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company (PCMMDC) rejected the allegations of overcharging and said contractors were being charged according to the approved fee schedule. The company added that public announcements were being regularly made inside the markets to inform traders and visitors about the official rates.

At the same time, municipal authorities have intensified action against roadside animal sales and citizens keeping sacrificial animals outside their homes.

Officials of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), municipal corporations and district administrations have been issuing warnings and challans to cattle traders operating outside designated sale points.