Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The cattle market established in Sector I-12 Islamabad has failed to satisfy the citizens and vendors as there are lack of arrangements for the sacrificial animals, whereas, the vendors complain of excessive fee, which is being charged by the contractor of the cattle market.

As usual, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has pocketed millions of rupees through granting the contract to a blue-eyed party for the establishment of a cattle market in Sector 1-12 and the Authority is uninterested in resolving the issues and problems being faced by the general public and the animal dealers, who cover long distances to get the maximum price for their animals.

As per contract, the rates for cows and goats were set by the civic body at 500 and 3000 rupees respectively, but now the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has failed to implement these rates as the contractor is charging high rates even up to 1200 rupees for each animal.

On the part of the management, there is no proper arrangement for water, shelter and sanitation which can create health problems in the federal capital, especially the people visiting the cattle market are facing a high risk of infection.

A vendor, Arshad, complainsed: “The administration charged 1100 rupees for each animal and promised to provide all facilities, but we are forced to purchase even water from private tankers.”

While responding on the issues being faced by the general public and animal sellers, the Director DMA Caption (R) Tahir Shahbaz said: “We are fully cooperating with the contractor to make the best arrangements and I am personally overviewing the whole process.”

He further explained about the excessive fee and said: “There are no extra charges being charged by the contractor, but it is the occupation charges as per 143 rupees per square yard, which are being charged additionally from the animal sellers.”

By visiting the site of the cattle market one thing is quite clear that the CDA earns money through awarding the said contract with nothing invested on the spot as there is only one way to access the market, but it is too narrow and does not have the capability to cater to the heavy load of traffic.

On the other side the people visiting the market are reluctant to purchase animals due to the price hike and are hoping that the rates would go down on the last day before Eid.

“Buying a sacrificial animal is a dream now,” said a government employee visiting the market by adding that the trend of joint sacrifice was on the rise owing to the high prices.

Ali Raza, a student, commented: “It is the routine that Muslims instead of giving favour to their brethren always increase the rates of commodities on every religious event like Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha.”

Although, Islamabad’s cattle market is being considered as the biggest market in the twin cities, the Rawalpindi District Administration has also set up seven animal markets in Potohar Town to cater to the demand during this period.

Furthermore, to ensure the smooth flow of traffic as well as to keep the city clean, the markets have been set up outside the city. Furthermore, a large number of robbery cases were reported outside the cattle market last year when well planned robberies deprived citizens from a huge amount, but the police did nothing to curtail the criminals.