Inadequate arrangements at cattle markets

LAHORE:Unhygienic conditions, inadequate parking, lack of civic facilities and security are the major complaints of sellers of sacrificial animals at the five temporary markets established in the provincial metropolis.

The district administration established five temporary cattle market Wagah Sports Complex, Nishtar LDA City, Ravi Moza Nain Sukh, Burki Road and Raiwind Road while the permanent market at Shahpur Kanjran was also fully functional. It is pertinent to mention here that every year the district administration established around 10 temporary cattle markets before Eid ul Azha whereas this year no one understood the logic behind reducing the number to the half.

DC Lahore, some days back, claimed that power, water, and security arrangements were ensured for public convenience but a visit of these markets showed it was just an announcement as majority of the animal sellers alleged they were not getting any facilities. Shabir, an animal sellers from Burewala, said providing essential amenities, including tents, fodder, toilets, electricity, generators, and clean drinking water was the responsibility of the district administration and the cattle marketing company, which was not fulfilled.

Another animal trader Junaid from Arifwala said most of the mobile ATMs were out of order, there was none present at the complaint cell and information desks while the buyers were not allowed to bring in their vehicles. Saleem Khan, a seller from DG Khan alleged illegal animal stalls were established at the parking spaces due to which buyers were not finding parking inside of markets. Security and traffic arrangements were also very poor, a number of sellers said adding scuffles and brawls between buyers and sellers and other visiting people was a routine matter.

Talking about the cleanliness situation, the animal sellers also complaint that the washrooms were in an extremely dirty and unhygienic condition. They also alleged that the overall cleanliness condition was not very good. Due to the cut in the number of official temporary cattle markets, the city was facing a huge influx of animal sellers who were selling their animals in different city areas, on roads and in empty plots and were also facing arrests by the district administration.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique visited the Model Cattle Market Shahpur Kanjran on Wednesday and reviewed the arrangements made for Eidul Azha. Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Clean Punjab Asim Mehmood and Additional Secretary Ahmar Kaifi were also present. CEO of Punjab Cattle Marketing Company Sheikh Taseer Ahmed briefed the provincial minister on the arrangements made in the market. The provincial minister also spoke to buyers and traders about the facilities provided in the market.

Expressing satisfaction over the overall arrangements, Zeeshan Rafique said that Shahpur Kanjran was a model market where the Punjab government was providing all kinds of facilities. He said that it was good to see the rush of people in the market. Insha Allah, further improvement will take place in the remaining days.

He said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, services were being provided at cattle sale points across Punjab on a no-profit, no-loss basis. He said he has asked CEO PCMMDC to personally visit all the markets and resolve the issues being faced by the animal sellers as well as the buyers.