LAHORE:
Traders and buyers in Lahore’s livestock markets have complained of excessive charges and strict restrictions ahead of Eidul Azha.
Traders at the Shahpur Kanjran livestock market, the largest permanent livestock trading center in Punjab, alleged that fees for entry of animals, fodder and space allocation were being charged above the officially sanctioned rates, increasing the financial burden on sellers and ultimately raising the prices of slaughtered animals for buyers.
The complaints come as the Punjab government ramps up preparations for Eidul Azha, deploying municipal authorities and Suthra Punjab officials across the province to regulate livestock markets, ensure health provisions and crack down on illegal roadside outlets.
According to traders, the official entry fee is set at Rs 200 for goats and Rs 500 for large animals. However, several livestock sellers claimed that they were charged up to Rs 1,000 for large animals, while separate amounts were allegedly charged for fodder, straw and wheat.
Traders alleged that troughs and smaller spaces within the market were being allocated for nearly Rs 100,000 instead of the officially prescribed Rs 60,000, while larger enclosures were reportedly rented for Rs 250,000 to Rs 300,000.
“Animals were already expensive this year, but these additional costs have pushed up prices even more,” says a trader in southern Punjab.
Livestock sellers from various districts alleged that despite the Punjab government’s announcement of free entry to livestock markets, excessive charges were allegedly being collected in several markets in the province, allegedly with the connivance of contractors and some officials.
The controversy has arisen at a time when livestock markets across Lahore are experiencing slow trade despite a large supply of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid.
According to officials, Shahpur Kanjran alone has the capacity to house 15,000 large and 45,000 small animals.
Additionally, the Punjab government has established five temporary livestock outlets at Saggian, Wagah Sports Complex, Barki Road, LDA City and Raiwind.
The temporary sales points have capacity for about 150,000 animals.
Despite the availability of animals, traders say buyer turnout remains lower than expected. “For the past week, most visitors were just window shopping,” says a goat trader at the Saggian outlet. “People are trading hard, but actual buying remains slow.”
Meanwhile, some buyers complained that cattle prices were almost 25 percent higher than last year.
“I have visited the market twice, but the prices are unaffordable,” said Muhammad Ilyas, a visitor to the Saggian outlet. He urged the government to regulate prices.
However, the Punjab Cattle Market Management and Development Company (PCMMDC) rejected allegations of overpricing and said contractors were being charged as per the approved tariff schedule. The company added that public announcements were made periodically within the markets to inform traders and visitors about the official rates.
At the same time, municipal authorities have intensified measures against the sale of animals on the roads and against citizens who keep slaughtered animals outside their homes.
Officials of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), municipal corporations and district administrations have been issuing warnings and challenges to livestock traders operating outside designated outlets.
