Poultry farm sealed for hoarding chicken

PAMPORE: After reports of black marketing and profiteering, revenue officials in Pampore along with, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Municipal Committee and others conducted market checking at various areas of Pampore.
During checking it was found that chicken sellers were indulging in fleecing of customers as the chicken dealers were selling the chicken at exorbitant prices.
The teams realized Rs 2,500 as fine from poultry farm owner who were found involved in the black marketers in Pampore area.
“The government has fixed the rate of chicken at Rs 110 per kilogram but the dealers were violating the government rates and selling the same at 170 per kilogram.,” said Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din, adding that on enquiring it was found that the poultry farm owners were selling them at Rs 145 per kilogram that had resulted in surge of retail prices in the town.
The team of officials raided one of the farms and found in possession of 500 chickens intended to be sold at exorbitant prices.
One of the officials said that we took charge of the chicken and paid the farm owner at prevailing prices in order to contain the rates of chicken., adding that the farm owners were paid on spot.
The officials told Kashmir Reader that the farm has been sealed and legal action would follow against the violators.
Market checking was also conducted in Khrew area in order to maintain rates as per government orders, a fine of Rs 1700 was imposed and recovered from other erring poultry shops, meat seller on account of overcharging.
The aim of the market checking was to curb black marketing and profiteering of essential commodities during this covid-19 pandemic.

BILAL HABIB