Srinagar, July 30 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a three-member team to coordinate with the Punjab Government for ensuring the smooth movement of livestock and preventing overcharging of transit trucks belonging to J&K livestock traders.
According to an order issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), as per news agency JKNS, the team will visit Punjab to hold dialogues with concerned officers of the Punjab Government for an amicable resolution of issues faced by J&K livestock traders.
The team includes Mr. Manoj Prabhaker, Deputy Controller, Legal Metrology Department, J&K, Mr. Mohammad Rafeeq Bhat, Deputy Director, FCS&CA, Kashmir, and Mr. Sham Lal Abrol, Deputy Director, FCS&CA, Jammu.
The order states that the team shall submit a detailed report to the Administrative Department regarding the outcome of their visit for further action.
The team has been tasked with visiting Punjab to hold consultations with relevant departments and senior officials of the Punjab Government. Their mandate is to secure an institutional and amicable resolution that ensures the hassle-free transport of livestock, safeguards the livelihoods of J&K’s livestock traders, and upholds the sanctity of inter-state trade protocols.
The decision follows a representation made by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, whose delegation, accompanied by affected transporters, met with the Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Sogami, to raise alarm over these issues. The delegation, led by the Association’s National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, alleged that Kashmiri truckers are being routinely stopped and blackmailed under the pretext of animal welfare regulations, and targeted with fabricated FIRs. They also accused local contractors, allegedly operating with the tacit support of certain officials of extorting money and leaving truckers stranded for hours under harsh conditions. (JKNS)
