ISLAMABAD: The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has decided to establish five cattle markets ahead of Eidul Azha. The main market will be located in I-12 near the Carriage Factory.

Contrary to past practice, this year, the MCI is opting to not auction off cattle market sites. In the past, the MCI used to earn millions of rupees from auction fee, however, this year, it has decided not to hold an auction, stating that setting up the cattle market is not a business rather a service.

The MCI took this decision during a meeting which was held a few days ago with Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon in the chair, who has been looking after the affairs of MCI. One of the markets will be established either in F-11 or E-11 whereas three smaller markets will be setup in Bhara Kahu, Tarnol and in Tramri area.

Talking to Dawn, DC Memon said MCI wanted to provide relief to people as setting up a cattle market is a municipal service and this activity should not be used for collecting money. “I believe, establishment of cattle markets is a municipal service and should be free-of-cost,” he said and added that MCI is thinking about not holding auctions this year, but the final decision would be taken after getting approval from the federal government.

It is relevant to note here that in the past, the directorate of municipal administration (DMA) of MCI would gather a massive revenue, ranging between Rs40 million to Rs60 million for giving the right to successful bidders to collect fees from animal sellers against each animal.

The bidder would be authorised to collect Rs250 against a small animal and Rs500 against a large animal. However, a bidder who won the contract against a whopping over Rs40 million for setting up the markets for hardly two weeks, allegedly in connivance with DMA officials, over charged and went as far as collecting Rs2,000 per every large animal.

An official of the DMA, when asked about expected audit objections, said that the MCI, before moving ahead will get approval from the federal government. He said setting up the cattle market is municipal service, therefore, “We believe there should be no involvement of money as Eidul Azha is a religious obligation and festivity. Rather, we will provide logistic support to animal sellers such as tents/canopies and water and security etc.” This step will provide some sort of relief to animal sellers and ultimately to consumers.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2022