Although prices of red meat have been fluctuating, yet remaining consistently high over the last few months; beef being sold between Tk 570 and Tk620 per kilo and mutton around Tk850 and Tk900 per kilo.
Alongside, slaughtering of the animals is seemingly under no system and is a gruesome sight. Local yards are used to carry out the process in unhygienic environment and with no supervision.
According to authorities, there are two slaughter houses under the DSCC and three under DNCC. However, the one in Mohakhali is currently not functioning.
Upon visiting some of the raw marketplaces of the capital, this correspondent came across butchers selling beef at a price determined by an accumulated decision between them. The butchers are processing the meat in their own ways under no jurisdiction causing eminence amount of unhealthy waste.
A butcher from the old Dhaka’s Nawabganj Bazar in Dhaka’s Ward no. 23 told this correspondent that no official price had been assigned to them. He slaughters the animal in his own space and processes the meat to be sold.
Jahangir Alam, a butcher from the very market, said “I have been selling meat at a price determined a long time ago. I increase the price in coordination with other butchers who also fix a higher price. No one has come to check up on what we are selling and for how much, at least not recently.”
On the contrary, councilor of the very ward, Mokbul Hossain told Bangladesh Post that the prices of beef and mutton are Tk550 and Tk700 respectively. However, the prices in the market do not match as such.
“We have faced no complaints regarding prices of the meat. If we do, we will look into it”, he said.
While talking to the correspondent of Bangladesh Post, a customer in the Hatirpool Kacha Bazar of the capital said, “We are at the mercy of whatever price is charged by the retailers. We have no idea if there is a determined price.”
Another customer in the same market said, “Prices are similar in all the markets. There was an increase around end time of Ramadan just before Eid. We are bound to stick to the price charged.”
The City Corporation consists of monitoring personals that updates the market with the official prices and monitors on a regular basis wither the market is functioning on the right prices, alongside making sure that slaughter process remains under hygiene protocols.
Farid Ahmed, CEO of Dhaka South City Corporation, told Bangladesh Post that the city corporation is not solely responsible for the market monitoring activities.
“We can execute surveillances and monitor the markets for such regards however, the city corporation is understaffed”, said the CEO.
He further said that there are sanitary inspectors but the number of staff required in these positions are short at the moment. However, complains are taken quite seriously.
“The bazar management committee members are supposed to deal with the inconveniences caused in the markets, but if there are any complains that reaches us, we look to resolve it as soon as possible”, he added.
In a detailed discussion with Bangladesh Post, Secretary General of Dhaka Mangsho Shomiti, Robiul Alam said that the scenario of beef processing in the markets of the capital is beyond horrific. He claims that there is absolutely no surveillance or hygiene protocols when it comes to slaughtering of the animals.
“There are no hygiene measures and no one to look into it. A large amount of money is invested to eradicate mosquitoes from the capital to stop diseases. Whereas, monitoring and keeping these places clean could eliminate half the problem,” said the Secretary General.
He further said that the prices of such essential food are in no one’s control. Beef prices are determined through illegal means and upon the will of the people in power. He said that he had made several attempts to come up with a solution regarding the matter but both the city corporations did not co-operate.
“We are not a country of low cattle resources. We are talking about one of the top commercial commodities in the country. Prices are high due to corruption and local extortions.” he added.
Dr Sharmin Samad, Veterinary Officer of the Dhaka North City Corporation told Bangladesh Post that the DNCC is lacking behind in these sectors. She has made proposals to resolve the scenario by taking initiatives like training butchers and increasing administrative manpower.
“I have visited the markets myself and we need more support from the higher authorities to tackle the problems. It is a sector that falls under the health department but this sector is very big in itself,” she said.
She added that the law is well crafted but lacks execution. She is optimistic that with more highlight and support from higher authorities, the situation in the markets would soon be brought under control.
The scenario beef in the markets requires a hard look from the authorities because of its heavy negative impact on the society commercially as well as becoming a hub of for breeding diseases.