Eid preparations: Cantt boards ban unregulated sale of animals

RCB, CCB set up temporary markets throughout the city.

RAWALPINDI: Cantonment boards in the garrison city have banned the sale of sacrificial animals at places other than the temporary livestock markets.

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) issued directions on Tuesday that strict action would be taken against those who sell or buy animals at any place outside the designated markets.

According to officials, both boards’ administration has imposed the ban in the streets and playgrounds.

RCB has set up a livestock market at Bhatta Chowk while CCB has established bakra mandis at 22 No Chongi, Lal Kurti and Tipu Road.

Officials at both the boards said cases would be registered against those who sell or purchase sacrificial animals at undesignated places and that the anti-encroachment department had been informed to fully implement their orders.

RCB Deputy Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Abdul Wahab told The Express Tribune that this is a normal practice every year on Eidul Azha to facilitate people. He said they had decided to establish a livestock market at Bhatta Chowk for buying and selling of sacrificial animals. The RCB will arrange an open bidding for the purpose to hire contractors on September 25, he informed, adding that the contractor will be given the responsibility to handle the affairs at the market.  The contractors will also decide the prices in consultation with the cantonment authorities so no one can exploit the people, he said. “We have to ensure cleanliness in the city because human health is linked with it,” Wahab remarked.

In addition to that, random selling points create traffic problems as well as issues of overpricing, he said.

He further said that in the livestock market, Rs300 fee for a cow and Rs200 for a goat will be charged on a daily basis.

Land and Revenue Branch officials of CCB told The Express Tribune that the markets had been established at three places including Laal Kurti Tariqabad slaughter house, Chungi No 22 and Tipu Road near Tanki stop. They said the board has constituted a team to monitor and ensure the implementation of its orders. The board also conducted open bidding on Tuesday and a contractor won the bid at a cost of Rs1.2 million, the officials informed. Last year, the winning bid garnered Rs500,000, they said.

Health officials of the twin cities fear a spread of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) from the abundant number of illegal livestock selling points. A total of 44 cases have been recorded in the country till September this year, with 28 deaths. A WHO official said the virus spreads from ticks and livestock, and needs to be controlled in light of Eidul Azha when a high number of people come in close contact with animals.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2014.