Poultry profiteers rapped for fleecing consumers; Rate-board display made mandatory

GANGTOK, 22 Feb [IPR]: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries & Veterinary Services, informs that the recent “unauthorized hike” in the rate of chicken in Gangtok and surrounding areas was brought to the notice of the Department and on 19 February, a team led by Dr. Madan KS Shanker, Dy. Director (Marketing & Quality Control), visited various meat retail shops located at Tadong, Deorali and the Non-Veg building at Kanchanjungha Shopping Complex here for verification of rate.
It was revealed that the retail shops were selling dressed chicken at the rate of Rs. 130 to 140 per Kg, the rate much higher than that fixed by the Department. The Department has already notified the rate for selling dressed chicken at the rate of Rs. 120 per Kg. It was also found that the meat stalls located in Lall Market neither displayed rate-boards nor displayed their Trade Licence.

All the meat stalls were issued typed Government rate-boards for both dressed chicken and live chicken and were instructed to make rate-boards for display to the consumers within a week’s time. The consumers were also briefed about their right to be informed about the government approved rates and it was interesting to observe the consumers queuing for refund of extra money they were charged.
Similarly, in the evening, the Dy. Director, accompanied by Yankeela Bhutia, Sub-Inspector of Ranipool Police Station, visited the meat stalls located in Ranipool Bazaar and confirmed that vendors there too were selling chicken at a higher price than the rate notified by the Government.
The vendors have been warned not to overcharge the consumers or contravene the notification issued by the Government. Though Trade licences were displayed, none of the shops displayed rate boards. Accordingly, all the shops were issued typed rate boards to be compulsorily displayed to the consumers.
During the visit, 1,680 pieces of eggs were confiscated from one of the shops located at Ranipool. The person involved in smuggling the “banned item” has been booked under the provision of Sikkim Live Stock & Livestock Products Act, 1985.
The Animal Husbandry Department has requested all consumers to pay the vendors as per the Government rate. Any discrepancies in this regard should be reported to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs or the Animal Husbandry Department.