Livestock entering Srinagar must pay tax now: Officials

September 20, 2025 by News Desk

The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified monitoring of livestock entering the city through its Bypass toll post to streamline taxation and safeguard public health, officials said on Saturday.

Fazil Bashir, a senior SMC official, said the toll post was set up under the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and all vehicles carrying livestock are required to stop for tax collection and inspection.

“The tax rates are fixed at ₹400 per truck for poultry, ₹600 for sheep, and ₹1,000 for cattle such as cows and oxen. These measures are meant to regulate livestock movement while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards,” Bashir said.

He added that while the toll post has been functional for years, some vehicles had recently attempted to bypass it. “To address this, mobile checking units have been deployed near Tengpora Bypass, and penalties are being imposed on violators,” he said.

According to officials, livestock are also inspected for health concerns at the checkpost. “Dead or unfit animals like poultry and sheep are disposed of scientifically at SMC facilities, while defaulters are allowed to proceed only after paying fines,” Bashir explained.

The Sheep Husbandry Department also carries out parallel health checkups of animals to prevent diseased or unsafe livestock from reaching the market. Officials stressed that the joint effort is aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring safe food supplies for the city.