As the livestock traders strike entered Day 9, a delegation of the Livestock Traders Welfare Association (LSTWA), led by President Baloch Khan Lashari and General Secretary Lateef Qureshi, called on EDO agriculture Shabbir Bhurt on Monday in the hopes of having fulfilled their demand to lift the 200-rupee fee on each animal brought into the city.
The strike has caused a shortage of beef and meat in the city and the stock that was available in different cattle colonies has been exhausted.
Bhurt told Daily Times that the CDGK never took a 200-rupee fee from livestock traders. "Rs 50 are taken for health certificates and the fee is for one year. The CDGK receives Rs 150 for fresh animals (milking animals), including Rs 50 for the health certificate. Though, livestock traders only pay Rs 50," he said.
Livestock traders pay six percent of the total cost of the animal they buy. Six percent of a 50,000-rupee animal comes to Rs 3,000, but they are shouting about Rs 50, Bhurt added.
"We have asked the LSTWA to form a committee to look into the matter and the CDGK will be pleased to accept its suggestions. A meeting at Bilawal House will be part of these efforts," Bhurt added.
The EDO told the delegation that, since the city nazim is back in the city, he would submit a detailed report on these matters to seek his final decision.
