Ranchi: High prices dampen festive spirit, fewer sacrifices this year

RANCHI: With prices of goats in the festive season of Bakrid touching the sky, Muslim families of Ranchi have decided to make less number of sacrifices during the festival this year. Last year, a goat weighing around 10-14kg cost around Rs 20,000, but this time round, the price ranges between Rs 23,000 and Rs 25,000.
"Over the last few years, goat prices have been on the rise.People are buying less and left the sellers unhappy," said Javed Ansari, a local butcher selling goats at the Karbala Chowk market. Javed managed to sell goats worth Rs seven lakh last year, but this year, he is finding it difficult to even get back his investment.
Meanwhile, several families have decided to make less sacrifices because of the high cost. Saarim Tanveer, who works as a sales person at a shoe shop, said, "With the prices so high this year, I have decided to sacrifice only one goat against two last year."
Khawaja Shahabuddin, who works as a tailor, said, "Price rise has always been a concern for the lower-middle class. Now, it makes us think twice before going out to the market with a list. The increase in prices of goats has dampened the festival spirit this year."
In one of the city's largest goat market at Karbala Chowk, where sellers from Khunti, Kanke, Pithoria and Tamar assemble to sell their goats, complained that buyers are not very enthusiastic this year. "I came to Ranchi on Tuesday with six goats with prices ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 - and till today, only two goats have been sold," Javed Ansari, a goat seller from Khunti, said.
According to the sellers, the more flawless the animal is, the higher the price. The highest price of the goat in the market is about Rs 70, 000 and weighs around 60kg. The slightly smaller ones cost around Rs 65,000 while others are worth Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 according to the size of the goat.