The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Markets in Kashmir witnessed a thin footfall of shoppers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifices, while the trade leaders term the recession, inflation and online marketing as the main reasons behind the sluggish market.

The shopkeepers told the news agency KNO that they were expecting a good sale but said the markets lacked enthusiasm. They said the flow is even low than Eid-ul-Fitr.

People were seen jostling and swarming around mutton and bakeries shops; however, the overall market sentiment was low, the shopkeepers said, adding that their business has shrunk and the middle-class people are facing the music when they have to get the necessary items on Eid despite facing a huge financial crunch.

Sameer Ahmad, a trader from Anantnag, said that despite Covid restrictions in the last two years, sales were good and whosoever was visiting his shop was purchasing at least a couple of items. "This time, the sales remained at an all-time low because the customers are not in a position to afford items."

Another trader from Srinagar said, “Sales on Eid-ul-Fitr were low but today, it is very low. We are very much worried." He added, “Inflation and poverty due to COVID-19 lockdowns have badly hit J&K and the poor are hardly able to make ends meet.”

Irfan Ahmad, a shopkeeper dealing with readymade garments, said he used to make lakhs of rupees in sales on festive occasions but this year, very few customers are visiting his shop. “One out of 10 customers is able to afford an item,” he said.

President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Javaid Ahmad Bhat, said that business is slumping in Kashmir as well as in other parts of the country, including Delhi, due to the recession. He said that online shopping is also playing a part as the young generation prefers online shopping.

"Market is not good, and as per the ground situation, business is down by around 50 per cent as compared to Eid-ul-Azha last year,” he said and added that the horticulture sector was hit last year and its impact is coming to the fore. "The handicrafts and industries are also suffering badly."

President, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Mohammad Yaseen Khan said that business is very down mainly because of inflation and markets are witnessing a very low rush. He said that people owe money to financial institutions as in the last few years, business was almost on halt and people have to first clear the debt amount.

"There is no business on the ground, that too on the festival. We won’t say how much per cent down is business but the fact is that there is no business on the ground,” Khan said, adding, “Even the main markets that used to remain jam-packed on such occasions are deserted today.”

The KTMF president said the government has been spending money for development purposes like Smart City Project and they can't do anything about inflation.

SRINAGAR — Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, people complain that the sacrificial animals are being sold at arbitrary prices in the absence of the rate regulatory body for livestock in Jammu and Kashmir.

The consumers told the news agency KNO that there are no fixed rates for sacrificial animals and that the sellers are pitching the rates of their choice.

“From Eidgah to Soura, not a single seller told me a fixed rate; some were selling sheep at Rs 350/kg while some at Rs 430/kg. There is no enforcement or checking of rates,” Tariq Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, said.

Tariq, who was present at the Eidgah, where the sacrificial animals are sold, said he is not able to select the ‘Qurbani’ due to high rates. He said he, along with his family, has been visiting the market for the last two days.

“The rates should be reasonable. I selected a sheep that was of a good size, but its owner asked for a huge price. I even offered him a rate beyond the ongoing market rate, but he insisted on his price tag,” Ahmad said.

Many visitors said the market is down compared to the last few years. “The people’s purchasing power is low this time. The livestock at Eidgah used to be less, but you can see how much still stands unsold,” said another person out to buy the animal.

A non-local seller from Rajasthan said that he has so far sold around 30 per cent of his livestock. “I have paid the freight of more than Rs 1 lakh for transportation. I brought 160 sheep here, of which I have sold around 40 only. There are no fixed rates, I have sold some at Rs 350/kg and some at Rs 360/kg even though there should be a rate of Rs 400/kg,” he said.

Similar reports were received from other districts of the valley where people complained of unregulated rates of sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha.

The General Secretary of the Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj-u-din said that they have no say in regulating the rates of sacrificial animals. "The rates are purely in an agreement between the buyer and seller," he said.

“There is nothing much our association can do about it. It is purely between a buyer and a seller when both are satisfied at a specific rate. And more importantly, the rates depend upon the quality one purchases,” he said and added, “Even those who are not of our trade sell sacrificial animals on these days. We cannot make any pre-announcement on the rates.”

Last year, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the J&K Government fixed the rates for sacrificial animals. For Delhi Walla and Merino Cross varieties, it was Rs 310 per kg, for Bakerwal and local Kashmiri sheep, it was Rs 295/kg and the rate for goats was fixed at Rs 285 per kg.

Earlier this month, the administration instructed the officials to refrain from regulating the prices of mutton and other livestock products.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir did not respond to the call for his comment on the issue.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Tuesday emphasized the need for the revival of 'shrine tourism' in Kashmir during his visit to the revered Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

Sinha was talking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Dargah Hazratbal shrine to review the preparations and facilities in place for the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Adha.

Quoting a saying (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Lieutenant Governor Sinha said that the Prophet (SAW) has stated that unless the heart is purified, the body remains impure. "If the heart is clean, the entire body is clean."

Drawing parallels to the Amarnath Yatra, which sees people from across India visiting the Amarnath cave, Lieutenant Governor Sinha said that just as people come to witness the Amarnath Yatra, they can also visit revered shrines like Hazratbal, Charar-e-Sharief, and many others in the Valley.

"Reviving shrine tourism can attract people from different parts of the country. I am open to receiving feedback from the people, the Waqf Board, and anyone else interested in this matter. You can reach out to me, or I can visit you as well," he added.

Sinha said that Eid-ul-Adha represents a festival of peace and harmony. At the Hazratbal shrine, he offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.

His call for the revival of shrine tourism in Kashmir indicates a renewed focus on promoting cultural and religious heritage, with the aim of attracting visitors and fostering unity and harmony among people from diverse backgrounds.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday modified its previous order and said that the holiday of Eid-ul-Adha will now be observed on June 29-30 (Thursday and Friday).

According to an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, the government modified its earlier order and said that the holidays of Eid-ul-Adha will be on June 29 and June 30 instead of June 28 and June 29.

“In partial modification of Government Order No. 1596-JK (GAD) of 2022; dated 30.12.2022 and Government Order No. 1597-JK (GAD) of 2022; dated 30.12.2022, it is hereby ordered that the holiday on account of 'Eid-ul-Azha' shall now be observed on 29th & 30th June, 2023 (Thursday & Friday) instead of 28th & 29th June, 2023 (Wednesday & Thursday) in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir,” the order reads.

PULWAMA — RD. Jeany Anal, the 183 battalion’s Commanding Officer, extended heartfelt greetings to people on the joyous occasion of Eid al-Adha being celebrated in the Valley of Kashmir.

While speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, the officer said that the CRPF believes in the Constitution of India, which allows us to follow any religion as per our own conviction.

"We religiously believe that the festivals like Eid make us closer to the Almighty and forge communal harmony among people of various religious beliefs," he added.

The officer reiterated that there are many Muslim personnel working in his battalion and they have decided to celebrate the festival of Eid al-Adha with them as their families do.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board on Saturday said that Eid prayers will not be allowed at Eidgah Srinagar as a request for the same was received late.

An official of the J&K Waqf Board, according to the news agency Kashmir News Observer, said that there is a weather forecast of a heavy downpour for the coming few days and it would not be possible for the Waqf to make requisite arrangements.

He said that the Waqf has advised the Jamia Auqaf to ask followers to offer prayers in covered spaces of local Masjids.

Notably, Anjuman Auqaf had on July 6 written to the J&K Waqf Board to make necessary arrangements for offering Eid prayers at 9 AM at Eidgah Srinagar on July 10.

Auqaf has also stated that in case of inclement weather, the congregational Eid prayers will be offered at the Central Jamia Masjid, Srinagar at the scheduled time and all arrangements are pre-requisite there as well for the ease of devotees.

SRINAGAR — Ahead of Eid al-Adha, camels have once again been put on sale as sacrificial animals in Kashmir.

Mushtaq Ahmad from Srigufwara area in Anantnag district said that he brought a camel for Rs 1.3 lakh from Rajasthan, news agency Kashmir News Observer reported.

According to him, it was his dream to sacrifice a camel on Eid and this year, his dream has come true.

Many dealers said that though the sacrifice of camels in Kashmir is very rare, the trend is increasing and more people are opting for camels instead of sheep and goats.

Ghulam Rasool, a butcher from south Kashmir, said that he brought two camels a few days ago and has already sold one.

“If demand will increase, I will bring more camels,” he said, adding that the camel meat is a little less than that of sheep and goat.

Camels, popularly known as the ship of the desert, have become regular attractions ahead of Eid al-Adha in Kashmir for the past few years.

SRINAGAR — Grand Mufti Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam on Wednesday announced that the Eid-Ul-Adha festival will be celebrated on July 10 as the moon of Dhu al-Hijjah was not sighted on Wednesday evening.

According to news agency Kashmir News Service, the Grand Mufti of J&K said that the Dhu al-Hijjah moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening following which the Eid-ul- Adha will be celebrated on July 10.

“Dhu al-Hijjah moon has not been sighted today evening, so Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on July 10. There is a perception among some people that sacrificial animals are costly and they will offer ‘Sadka’ which is in no way acceptable in Islam as the condition for the day is the sacrifice of animals only,” Grand Mufti J&K Nasir-ul Islam said.

SRINAGAR — The Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday fixed the rates for sacrificial livestock in the Kashmir Valley ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.

According to an order, the Director of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department has revised and re-fixed the rates of Qurbani (sacrificial) livestock in the valley.

“Consequent upon the decisions taken in the meeting, regarding fixing/review of rates of sacrificial (Qurbani) livestock, held today on 27-06-2022 and in supersession of all previous notifications issued on the subject and in the exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Jammu & Kashmir Mutton Licensing & Control Order, 1973 read with SRO-31 dated 1974, I, Dr Abdul Salam Mir, Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Kashmir revise and re-fix the sale rate of Qurbani livestock,” read the order.

It reads that the rates for Delhi Walla and Merino Cross varieties of Sheep have been fixed at Rs 310 per kg, those of Bakerwal and Kashmiri varieties at Rs 295 per kg and for goat has been fixed at Rs 285 per kg.