The All Meghalaya Poultry Supplier and Retailer Association (AMPSRA) has alleged that there are hundreds of non-Khasi traders and suppliers illegally running the poultry businesses in the state without a trading licence.
Speaking to reporters, AMPSRA president Wanshailang Kharchandi said that these illegal activities that go unchecked by the district councils are posing a serious threat to the livelihood and businesses of the Khasi people.
Meanwhile, Kharchandi also informed that the association, in a blow to ordinary people, plans on hiking the price of chicken.
Meghalaya imports chickens as it cannot meet demand locally. Ten tonnes of broiler chicken is sold in Ïewduh alone per day, with three to four times this amount for the whole of Shillong. AMPSRA also accuses the non-local poultry businesses of undercutting those owned by Khasis.
“Our state cannot meet the demand and we are importing the chickens from other states, especially West Bengal. We are also facing fierce competition from the non-Khasi suppliers, mostly from Assam, who are doing this poultry business here illegally without the trading licence,” he said.
The association will hold a general meeting on May 24 where its members will also announce new rates for live birds and dressed chicken. Kharchandi informed that AMPSRA has decided on rates for retailers at Rs 220 for live birds and Rs 320 for dressed chicken.
“We lack hatcheries and mills to produce our own chicken feed in the state and we have to depend on everything from outside, which is another cause for low production and the government should think about this,” he added.
