Srinagar: The Kashmir Hotel & Restaurant Owners Association (KHAROA) has voiced serious concern over what it described as the “thundering silence” of the government regarding recent allegations about the supply of unsafe mutton in the Valley.
In a statement issued to Ziraat Times, the association said officials of the administration had created a misleading impression that imported unsafe mutton was being supplied to restaurants and eateries in Kashmir. “This narrative was floated without any investigation, probe, or establishment of a supply chain that could have shown how this so-called unsafe mutton landed in established restaurants and eateries,” KHAROA noted.
The association alleged that some enforcement officials, in competition with each other, resorted to arbitrary practices such as declaring meat preparations unsafe simply by touching them, “as if their hands were equipped with instant testing machines and barometers.”
KHAROA representatives said they had already met authorities and pointed out these flaws, but no corrective action had been taken so far. “We had demanded that the government name and shame the unscrupulous elements responsible. So far, no names have been disclosed, causing confusion and mistrust among the public,” the statement added.
The association warned that failure to expose the culprits has dealt a blow to the hospitality sector, leading to a sharp decline in footfall at restaurants and eateries, job losses, and mounting stress among stakeholders. It also questioned the “selective silence” of agencies, alleging that action appeared to be restricted only to J&K Bank while genuine restaurateurs were being unfairly targeted.
“Thousands of livelihoods are at stake, and many outlets are on the verge of closure,” KHAROA said, stressing that the controversy has come at a time when the sector was still recovering from earlier shocks, including the recent Pahalgam incident.
The association urged the highest levels of government to step in, restore public confidence, and prevent further damage. “The authorities must act fast, not only to instill confidence in customers but also to safeguard an industry that provides livelihood to thousands across Kashmir,” the statement concluded.
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