HARIPUR: The livestock market reopened here the other day due to the relaxation of coronavirus-induced lockdown.

However, animal sellers complained about a lack of facilities and said they and livestock stood in the scorching heat as the place was without sheds, trees, drinking water and waiting rooms.

They told Dawn that they left the market before 12 noon for being unable to stand the sweltering weather.

Munawar Khan of the Serae Nehmat Khan village said the TMA charged Rs10 as entry fee for every animal and six per cent of every sale amount but it had failed to ensure facilities in the livestock market.

Saeed Ahmad of Mirpur village claimed that as there’re no sheds and drinking water, two to three animals died every week.

Animal sellers complain about lack of facilities

Malik Noor, who brings cattle to the market every Thursday, said despite earning hundreds of thousands of rupees from the cattle market every month, the TMA didn’t facilitate animal sellers. He complained that the administration secured land, which didn’t have trees or sheds.

When contacted, assistant tehsil officer (regulation) Abrar Alvi said the TMA had rented 54 kanals of land near the Khalabat Township for Rs14,000 per kanal for 10 years as there was no land of such location available in the city, where cattle sellers could trade.

He said that the TMA had built small cemented water containers for animals that were filled by the TMA bowsers intermittently. The official said the cattle market would get fiber sheds, sitting places, fans, and drinking water in few months.

He said dull business was reported in the animal market due to Ramazan and hot weather.

Mr Alvi said the place was opened to people after proper marking for social distancing.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020