Government to Act Against Mutton Price Hike

Review Ordered, Say Official Price hike to be probed. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to take cognisance of the recent hike in mutton prices across Kashmir and assured that the issue will be reviewed on priority, officials said on Wednesday.Over the past week, consumers in Srinagar and several other districts have complained that mutton is being sold at ₹700 to ₹750 per kilogram, exceeding the officially fixed rate of ₹650 per kg. Residents allege that such hikes recur annually ahead of Ramzan due to weak enforcement.Senior officials from the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs told news agency JKNS that the matter will be taken up with the Director FCS&CA and enforcement wings to address public grievances.Asked whether the government is considering deploying Flying Squads to curb overpricing, an official said the issue would be reviewed on priority. “We will coordinate with the directorate and ensure that necessary action is taken,” the official said.The government has also acknowledged supply-side concerns raised by mutton dealers, particularly allegations of harassment of livestock transporters in parts of Punjab. “We have sought discussions with the Punjab Government on three occasions, but no response has been received so far,” the official added.As reported earlier by JKNS, consumers across Kashmir have accused butchers of arbitrarily increasing prices ahead of Ramzan, making mutton unaffordable for poor and middle-class families. Residents of areas such as Khanyar, Soura and Habba Kadal said mutton was openly sold at ₹750 per kg despite the notified rate.Meanwhile, mutton dealers have released official correspondence related to interstate livestock movement, claiming unresolved issues and administrative inaction have disrupted supply. Dealers have warned that continued delays could force them to take “harsher steps,” even as they insist that all official channels have already been exhausted.Consumers have urged the administration to act decisively, regulate prices, and prevent exploitation ahead of Ramzan, while the government maintains that the matter is under active consideration.