Beef prices to increase from today

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Aug 4: The Khasi Jaintia Butchers Welfare Association (KJBWA) has decided to increase the price of beef meat from Rs. 240 to Rs. 280 per Kg and Rs. 300 for dressed beef. The association has alleged that there has been a raise in illegal smuggling of cattle out to Bangladesh through the porous Indo-Bangla border and that is why they are compelled to increase the price.

They also informed that the newly announced rates for beef will be in effect from August 5, 2015 in the whole State.

“We have had countless number of meetings and discussion before we took this decision to increase the price of beef because we have been selling at a loss with very little margin for profit right from February,” vice president Generous Warlapih KJBWA told media person here on Tuesday.

According to him, the reason for the increase of beef prices is because there is very less supply of cattle coming into the Khapara Market because of the allege illegal smuggling of cattle into Bangladesh.

He also alleged that people from Dhubri Assam usually buy the cattle from Khapara market at a higher rate making it very hard for them to compete since there is a difference of Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3500 from the normal rates they are used to buying. Informing that they have approached the Custom Office, Warlapih said, “We have approached the custom office on several occasion regarding the matter seeking their intervention but the only thing we would get from them are assurances and no action.”

He stated that normally a pair of 80 kg calves which cost 38,500 before now its Rs 45,000 and a pair of calves which weighs 100 kg is priced at Rs. 48,000 and now it’s Rs 56,000.

He added that the people who claim to be from Dhubri buys these calves from the market at a more exuberant rates ranging from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 6000 pair calves.

“We need around 1250 to 1300 calves a week but nowadays there is only 600 to 700 supply of calves here at Khapara market,” Warlapih said while urging the Syiem of Hima Mylliew to take a special interest in this market which takes place once a week and to provide special protection as the Khapara falls under the jurisdiction of Hima Mylliem.