The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Aug 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (JKHARA) has urged the government to impose immediate and strict measures to prevent the entry of rotten and substandard meat into the Union Territory. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, JKHARA President Babar Chowdhary described the recent incidents of expired meat consignments intercepted at Lakhanpur as “a wake-up call for public health and consumer trust.”
“We have verified instances of rotten and expired meat being transported into Jammu and Kashmir,” Chowdhary said. “Homes and families cannot be put at risk for the sake of profit. Public health and consumer trust are non-negotiable.”
The association has released a five-point action plan, calling for a complete ban on the entry of unbranded frozen meat and poultry products. Chowdhary said that unless a product can be verified and traced, it should not be allowed to enter the local market.
Another key demand is the immediate establishment of a certified meat testing laboratory at the Lakhanpur checkpoint. The proposed lab, JKHARA said, should conduct real-time tests for freshness, expiry, hygiene and compliance with food safety standards. “No consignment should be allowed to cross Lakhanpur without scientific clearance,” Chowdhary insisted.
The plan further calls for rigorous inspection of all consignments. JKHARA has recommended checks for expiry dates, packaging integrity, proper labeling, and visible signs of freshness. Chowdhary said inspection must be carried out by a dedicated team and maintained as a transparent and auditable process.
On legal action, the association said suppliers found guilty of dealing in rotten, expired or misbranded meat should face immediate cancellation of licenses, blacklisting, and prosecution under food safety and criminal laws. “Those who gamble with public health must face the harshest penalties,” Chowdhary said.
To strengthen the gatekeeping mechanism, JKHARA has also proposed the formation of a Special Task Force at Lakhanpur comprising food safety officers, veterinary experts and law enforcement personnel. Clearance from this team, the association said, should be made mandatory for every consignment, and any unfit load should be turned back with the supplier blacklisted.
Chowdhary underlined that the association was not against legitimate trade but was focused on restoring trust. “This is not about restricting business. It is about making sure what reaches people’s kitchens is safe,” he said. “Our hospitality sector, our tourism, and our communities depend on that trust.”
He concluded by appealing to the authorities to operationalize the Lakhanpur testing lab without delay and to enforce uniform inspection protocols. “Every day of delay risks another consignment slipping through—and another breach of public trust,” he warned.
