ISLAMABAD: Sacrificial animal sellers have complained of too much
taxes being charged by the I-10/1 animal market contractor, which is
enhancing the sky rocketing prices of these animals.
Siddique
Ahmed, a goat seller in the market, who came from Rahim Yar Khan, was
asked about excessive prices replied that they have paid large amount in
terms of carriage as well as Rs. 18000 for three trucks of goats
embracing Rs. 100 for each goat and Rs. 15000 for three tents each
covering 15x15 feet space to save their animals from cold by keeping
them under the shelter at night.
Another cow seller in the
market who came from Tehsil Kot Addu with 12 cows told Online that they
paid Rs. 500 to enter loaded vehicle in the animal market, Rs. 200 for
each cow, Rs.3000 for 15x15 feet tent space and Rs. 200 to unload the
animals.
“Previous year all these charges of the animal market
were very low than this year, as we had paid Rs. 500 for the same tent
last year, “he added.
An animal trader who came from Talagang
said that charges for the tents are not same for each place. “We paid
Rs. 20,000 for two tents each covering 15x15 feet space except Rs. 3000
because we got the space in heart of the market as the charges are lower
if some one finds the space away from high business zone of the
market,” he said.
Some of the animal traders who brought tents
with them were of the view that the market contractor did not allow them
to enter without paying charges as previous year those animal traders
were not forced to pay charges who carried tents with them.
Moreover,
each and every person in the market who are involved in some kind of
business activity either small or large are forced to pay tax to the
market contractor. Numerous vendors in the market who were selling some
edibles covering small space not more than 15 feet claimed that they
were allowed to sit here after paying Rs.3000 to the contractor. A
vendor told this scribe that he also paid money to enter in the market
besides Rs.3000.
Another vendor who was selling decoration
material for animals said that the workers of contractor are asking him
to pay Rs. 500 per day to enter in the market which is not affordable
for me in such cold business environment.
The animal traders
speaking on excessive rates of tax charges by the contractor said that
these charges, which are increasing each year, directly affect the
prices of the animals as we have to cover these expenditures by selling
our animals. Online
