This has made the market 200% more commercial, complained the owner of the Sheikh Mahd Cattle Farm. “We thought that bringing retired army personnel would be beneficial by making the charges for land and facilities rational, but we were wrong,” said Moeid Sultan, the trader.
There is a marked change. Previously only six blocks of the dusty market were rented and the rest of the blocks for free or available at relatively lower rates. This year twenty blocks have been put up for rent that ranges from Rs30,000 to Rs100,000 to the farmers coming from rural Sindh and Punjab. Traders complained that the trucks of animals were also being made to pay in the thousands of rupees.
On the outside, the charges appear the same as last year’s. Entry for each animal is Rs850 compared to Rs800 from last year. A car pass is Rs5,000, the same as last year’s. But this year some surprises were in store for traders.
They have not been allowed to bring their own decorative lights or set up their own generators inside the tents. The decorations can only be provided by the management - that charges a pretty penny for them.
An owner of Taj Haider Cattle Farm argued with the management. He wanted to use his decorative lights from last year. Trader Moeid Sultan wasn’t allowed to bring his own generator, and as a result pays Rs5,000 every day for the one provided by the market.
Banner showing sturdy animals with sexy names are also fewer this year. Owners explained that the market was charging for them to put up banners even inside tents. “They want us to get them made from their people, who are charging Rs75 per square feet.” The outside rate is Rs40.
There is a shortage of water supplies too. Drinking water has gone from Rs30 to Rs100 per gallon. Riaz Ali, who brought his animals from Nawabshah, said that the water is dirty and expensive. “I am spending just Rs100 on drinking water for every animal. How will I feed all of them?”
About 90,000 animals have been brought so far and 200,000 are expected in the coming days.
Excited buyers coming to the far-flung market left disappointed by the extra charges. Haji Rehman, who bought a black spotted cow for Rs35,000 flashed a receipt for Rs200 in ramp charges to load the animal on to a Suzuki.
War of words
For his part, the new market administrator Colonel (retired) Tariq Zubair said that the previous managers were a ‘mafia’. He argued that unlike previous years, no unbranded soft drinks or juices were allowed inside and a proper media cell was set up. He added that water was being provided from a nearby hydrant.
The former administrator, Shahab Ikram, said he was disappointed when he did not get the contract this year. “These retired army men should only stay in their offices,” he said. “What do they know of running a mandi and being out in the sun and mud along with the animals?”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Mir: if u believe that by not allowing own decorations and generators the place will be cleaner, then obviously u have a big problem, because that only means free pocket money.
if u also believe that charging for banners in and outside will also make the place shine like a hallway then again you havnt been to the place lately and need a reality check.
as far as your comment for rich and poor is concerned, well in that case most would agree that living a luxury life the way army does is not for them, its for the rich businessmen of this country, try getting used to living in the slums for a change
@Ajit Harisinghani: Oh than eating cow would definitely give you a heart attack.
@Mir: So you're ok with a lot less people offering Qurbani as long as certain individuals make a quick buck? Bravo, people like u make Pakistan proud!
Well this is what they get training for, how to milk the country
This can cause severe instability in the market rates. The strong traders will add all this expenditure in the animal's price but on the other hand poor farmers, due to continuous daily expense, will try their best to leave this market as early as possible and eventually sell their animals at lower than the market rates.
the army strikes again! :/
@Analyser Free of charge with what money?? This country is living on bored money. Anyway .. These are teething problems for a better cleaner experience. The charges seem new to the people because they have been used to lying around in dirt to save a few rupees. These costs will be borne by the customer who will hopefully get used to it in a couple of years. Qurbani is not for everyone, its only for people who can afford it. While the environment and surroundings are for everyone.
Don't blame him, blame his training.
Corruption among politicians is nothing compared to corruption in uniform. Problem is, nobody has the guts to investigate them.
They already get everything for free from your tax money, from salaries to houses and lands, who pays for all that? You do, in taxes.
Eating Camels? Really? Sounds Extreme to me. But then, What Do I Know?
If the army had their way they would own 150% of the country and get everything free for themselves.
Guyz, do not delve so deep in your greed that you forget the meaning of 'Sacrifice'