NAOGAON, Aug 06: With Eid-ul-Azha is approaching, the cattle markets in all the eleven upazilas of the district are abuzz with buyers and sellers.
A large number of sacrificial animals have been brought to the different markets on Sunday and the crowd is expected to be bigger on next days.
Like previous years, buyers with big budget rushed to Chowbaria area under Manda upazila, the largest cattle market in Rajshahi region, to purchase their sacrificial animals of their choice.
According to the sources at the District Livestock Office, around 1,75,000 cows, 35,000 goats and sheep are prepared for sale at some 75 cattle markets in the district this year.
An ideal sized cow is being sold at Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 at the markets while the big sized one is selling at Tk 1,50,000 to Tk 1,80,000, a goat or sheep can be purchased at Tk 4,000 to Tk 15,000.
One the other hand, the lessees of different cattle markets in the district are allegedly facing excessive toll money collection from the cattle owners and purchasers.
Buyers and sellers informed no government fixed chart for collecting toll is seen at most of the cattle markets.
They said the haat authorities are charging Tk 450 to Tk 500 for a cow and minimum Tk 300 for a goat, against the regular toll of Tk 350 for each cow and buffalo and Tk 150 for every goat or sheep, fixed by the district administration.
However, the lessees denied the allegation of collecting extra toll.
Lessee of Mataji Cattle Market under Mohadevpur upazila Mazed Uddin said, "We are not collecting unreasonable amount of money, rather we are charging a little bit higher toll for our expenditure."
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Mohadevpur, Mizanur Rahman stated the district administration gave instruction to take strict action against all irregularities at the cattle markets.
"We are looking into the matter concerning excessive toll collection. Proper action would be taken against the accused persons after the investigation", he added.
To ensure the smooth running of the markets till the holy Eid, the law enforcement agencies including police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) are putting in their efforts across the district.
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