J&K Mutton Crisis Solved After Panjab Revokes Entry Tax

July

2026

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) faced a major mutton availability crisis after wholesale mutton dealers went on an indefinite strike and retail meat sellers suspended sales to protest the imposition of hefty unauthorized charges on livestock-carrying vehicles transiting through Panjab. The Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association (KMDA) suspended the import of sheep and goats into the Union Territory from markets outside J&K. KMDA general secretary Mehraj-ud-Din said traders transporting livestock from Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan were being subjected to unauthorized fee collection and repeated stoppages while passing through Panjab. He said, 'In 2025, traders were compelled to pay around USD 105 per truck. We paid about USD 1.8M as unauthorized transit tax. Now they are forcing us to pay between USD 210–315 for every livestock vehicle crossing Panjab.' He said that livestock-laden trucks are frequently detained for several hours at multiple checkpoints by contractor groups in Panjab; and that the prolonged delays, particularly amid scorching heat, have led to the death of several sheep during transit, resulting in additional financial losses for traders. The protest prompted J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to seek immediate intervention from his Panjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann. CM Abdullah referred to the findings of an internal committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The committee found that transporters were being compelled to make substantial payments per vehicle during transit 'without any apparent legal sanction'. It also observed that livestock movement is exempt from Goods and Services Tax and that the continued collection of such charges was placing an additional burden on the livestock trade, eventually affecting meat prices and consumers in J&K. On 3 Jul, the All Kashmir Wholesale and Retail Mutton Dealers Association president, Khazir Mohammad Regoo announced that the dispute over the 'illegal' levy imposed on Kashmiri meat traders has been resolved. The Kashmir mutton sellers have called off the strike. While the crisis was highlighted in the media, the resolution is hardly mentioned. Like Panjab took the initiative to solve the crisis, it should urge Himachal Pradesh to resolve extra entry tax issues faced by Panjabi travelers (earlier coverage).