Government’s “thundering silence” in exposing culprits of unsafe mutton supply harms genuine restaurants & eateries

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 10 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir government’s “thundering silence” over the supply of allegedly unsafe mutton into the Kashmir Valley has been telling upon the reputation and business operations of restaurants and eateries, says the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association (KHAROA) in a statement issued to media.
The Association says failure to expose the culprits has badly hit the hospitality sector. “The uncertainty has led to a huge decline in footfall at restaurants and eateries. Businesses are suffering heavy losses, and this directly threatens employment in the sector. Members of KHAROA are under tremendous stress,” it said.
The Association said that officials of the administration created a misleading impression that the imported unsafe mutton was being supplied to restaurants and eateries of 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,” reads the KHAROA statement.
The Association added that some enforcement officials, in their apparent competition with each other, resorted to arbitrary practices—declaring meat preparations as unsafe or rotten simply by touching them, “as if their hands were equiped with instant testing machines and barometers.”
Even as the KHAROA office-bearers met with the authorities and pointed out these flaws, no corrective action has been taken so far.“We had strongly demanded that the government name and shame the unscrupulous elements responsible. However, no names have been disclosed so far, creating confusion and mistrust among the public,” it stated. “Permit us to say that like the hotel sector of the industry, the Restaurant trade has also gone for a toss”.
KHAROA has also questioned the selective silence of government agencies. “Is naming and shaming restricted only to J&K Bank?” Why are the black sheep involved in the mutton scandal being protected?” KHAROA asked, adding that the guilty should be severely punished and outcasted from society, while the fair and scrupulous restaurant owners—who have become unfortunate victims of propaganda—must be cleared without delay.
KHAROA noted that the sector is still reeling from the impact of the Pahalgam incident, and the current mutton controversy has further crippled the hotel and restaurant industry in Kashmir. “The damage is immense and may prove irreparable if immediate measures are not taken,” it said.
The Association urged the highest levels of government to intervene, restore public confidence, and support the restaurant and eatery trade. “This propaganda has already caused enough damage. The authorities must act—and act fast—not only to instill confidence in customers but also safeguard an industry that provides livelihoods to thousands across Kashmir,” the statement said.
KHAROA has disclosed that many outlets are at the verge of closure.
(Straight Talk Communications)