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At the heart of the crisis is a dispute over what Kashmir’s livestock traders describe as an “illegal” transit levy imposed on trucks passing through Punjab
Mutton prices in Kashmir have risen from around Rs 700 per kilogram to approximately Rs 750 per kilogram within days. (AI generated image)
For most places, a shortage of mutton would simply mean higher prices at the butcher’s shop. In Kashmir, it is something far bigger. It threatens wedding celebrations, one of the Valley’s oldest culinary traditions, and the livelihoods of thousands of traders, caterers and livestock transporters.
At the heart of the crisis is a dispute over what Kashmir’s livestock traders describe as an “illegal” transit levy imposed on trucks passing through Punjab. The standoff has disrupted the Valley’s mutton supply just as the wedding season reaches its peak.
Why Is There A Mutton Shortage In Kashmir?
Kashmir is one of India’s largest consumers of mutton. While sheep are reared locally, domestic production falls well short of demand, forcing the Valley to import a significant share of its livestock from Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Those animals enter Jammu and Kashmir through Punjab.
The trouble began when traders alleged that contractors operating in Punjab started collecting a transit charge of Rs 20,000-25,000 per truck carrying livestock. According to dealers, they already pay a 4 per cent tax in the state where they purchase the animals and argue that this additional payment has made transporting livestock economically unviable. As a result, many dealers have suspended fresh imports altogether.
The financial impact is substantial. During the wedding season, traders estimate that livestock worth nearly Rs 12-14 crore enters Kashmir every day. With imports stalled for over a week, supplies have rapidly tightened.
Why Weddings Are Bearing The Brunt
Kashmir’s main marriage season runs from April to October, and no traditional wedding is complete without wazwan – the elaborate multi-course feast that is regarded as the culinary soul of Kashmiri culture. A typical wazwan can include more than 20 dishes, many of them mutton-based, such as rista, gushtaba, tabak maaz and rogan josh. For many families, the feast is not merely a meal but a symbol of hospitality and social prestige.
With mutton becoming scarce, caterers have begun warning families that some traditional dishes may have to be dropped or reduced. According to a report in The Indian Expresssome families have even delayed distributing wedding invitations, hoping the crisis would ease before their ceremonies.
The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association has gone a step further, urging people to postpone weddings and large social gatherings until supplies normalise, warning that demand cannot currently be met.
Mutton Prices Up Already
The shortage has quickly translated into higher retail prices. According to a report, mutton prices in Kashmir have risen from around Rs 700 per kilogram to approximately Rs 750 per kilogram within days. Traders warn that if the disruption continues, prices could increase further as existing stocks run out.
Restaurants, caterers and butchers are also feeling the squeeze, with many unable to guarantee supplies for advance wedding bookings.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seeking immediate intervention. In his letter, Abdullah requested that Punjab ensure the “smooth, secure and unhindered movement” of livestock transport vehicles and prevent any unauthorised collection of charges from transporters carrying valid documentation.
Punjab authorities have not publicly accepted the traders’ allegations, but discussions between the two governments are expected as pressure mounts to restore supplies.
If the dispute remains unresolved, the consequences will extend beyond rising food prices. Weddings may become costlier, traditional wazwan menus could shrink, caterers and butchers may suffer business losses, and consumers will bear the burden of both scarcity and inflation.
About the Author
Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures…Read More
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