FAISALABAD, Jan 8: The sky-high prices of sacrificial animals are reportedly worrisome for the people who are already facing rising inflation. During a round of a dozen sale centres of sacrificial animals in the city here on Sunday, a low turnout of the people was observed and they were seen bargaining with sellers at 50 per cent less than the demanded prices.

Market sources revealed that a good number of people had preferred to donate their amounts to earthquake victims this year. Similarly, scores of people who had been slaughtering animals for the last so many years are now purchasing cows and camels on sharing basis to fulfil the religious obligation.

Prices prevalent at local sale points this year show 15 to 20 per cent increase than that of the last year while some breeders are demanding extraordinary price on the basis of their animals’ beauty and health.

The most interesting feature is that some breeders have named their cows, lambs and goats after renowned politicians and characters of film, stage and Indian television plays.

At present, sellers are demanding Rs7,000 to Rs9,000 for a lamb, which was available for Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 in the market last year. A goat which was available at Rs9,000 previous year is now being sold for Rs12,000. Prices of cows and camels are worrisome for the middle class as breeders are demanding Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 for an average size cow and Rs50,000 to Rs60,000 for a camel.

However, after bargaining, cows are being sold at Rs25,000 to Rs28,000 and camels for around Rs40,000.

It is interesting to note here that a dealer of Samundri tehsil brought a pair of young cows to a sale point on Samundri Road and was demanding Rs160,000. Similarly, a goat with a price tag of Rs50,000 is attracting the people, especially children.

Sellers claimed that owing to manifold increase in prices of all daily-use items, including mutton and beef, they were left with no other option except to demand maximum amount for their animals.

They further claimed that the town administrations were charging Rs200 for a big animal and Rs100 for a goat for entry into sale points. Similarly, the traffic police on major highways were also charging.

Some of the breeders from far-flung areas told Dawn that wealthy middlemen and dealers had stocked herds of animals months before Eidul Azha at very nominal prices and disposed them of at inflated rates now.

On the other hand, citizens have blamed the government for its complete failure to introduce any policy for the sale of sacrificial animals in the country.

They said breeders and middlemen were charging according to their sweet will and there was no system to check prices of sacrificial animals.

They said the district government instead of providing relief to the people on the eve of Eid was imposing taxes on breeders visiting the city areas for the sale of sacrificial animals.

Meanwhile, contractor of sale centre at the Wasa warehouse on Samundri Road was seen charging Rs600 for a cow and Rs400 for a lamb or goat.

Half of the amount is being charged from the breeder on entry into the sale point and the remaining from the purchaser during exit of the animal.