Seizure of livestock

CAPD to appeal against HC decision

SRINAGAR: The Consumer Affairs and Public Distrubution department is likely to file an appeal against the J&K High Courts direction that asked CAPD to restrain from detaining mutton supply to the valley.
Director CAPD Department Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad said ,"We will file an objection against the High Court decision as we are working as per the law. Livestock of unregistered dealers will be detained and any mutton dealer or retailer who violates the government orders will have to face the brunt.”
Last week the J&K High Court issued notice to the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) , directing them to follow proper legal procedure to deal with mutton import. The courts direction was welcome by valley based mutton dealers and retailers who claimed the same would help in bringing down the rates.
The single bench of the High Court comprising Justice Muzaffar Ahmad Attar, in a writ petition filed by Chinar Sheep and Goat Suppliers Welfare Association, has directed the respondent to restrain from detaining trucks loaded with livestock imported from other states by invoking provisions of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 and JK mutton licensing and control of 1973.
The petitioner has said; that the respondents with the aid and assistance of police have started stopping trucks loaded with livestock supplied to the Mutton association and wholesalers at Lower Munda and Lakhanpur which incurred a huge loss on them.
Acting President, All Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj-Ud-Din Ganie said that the implementation of High Court direction by the CAPD department will help not only in controlling the illegal supply of mutton but also the black marketing. “We are supporting the decision of High Court as it will help in controlling the growing rates of mutton. If CAPD department will work as per the law, the black marketing and illegal supply of mutton will stop automatically,” he said.
President, Mutton Retailers Association, Khazir Muhammad Riggo said that it is a free trade and anyone can be a part of this trade but the CAPD department has created its own set of rules for this trade. “The Lower Munda has only became a hub of corruption for the CAPD authorities and there are no doctors to check the condition of livestock , so CAPD authorities should not detain or stop the livestock at any place on Highway,” he claimed.