Md. Mafiz Uddin Sarker, Rangpur

Although some seasonal traders in Rangpur region saw little profit in animal hides and skins business during this year's Sacrificial Eid, many seasonal traders returned home disappointed. And not getting a fair price, many people have buried the leathers. The traditional leather belt of Hajipara in Rangpur city had no noise. Taking advantage of this opportunity, big traders including big leather merchants took control of the entire leather market.

Common people and seasonal traders complain that due to the syndicate of traders from different areas of the district, they have been forced to sell leather at nominal price. Goat skin had to be thrown away even if the price of cow skin was matched. It was seen in different places of the city; this time each piece of cow skin was sold at the price of 200 to 500 taka. And goat skin was sold for only 5 to 10 takas. Many people have donated the leather to madrasahs and mosques due to lack of price. The price fixed by the government has not affected the market.

Imam of Buzruk Haripur village of Mirzapur union of Mithapukur upazila offered a Goat sacrifice worth 7 thousand taka. As the price of the leather was not there, he buried the leather in the ground.

Many such people have buried the leathers in the ground without getting the price of leather. Leather traders and traders claim that they could not buy leather at the price set by the government due to the increase in the price of salt, including the capital crisis. Also, it was not possible for them to buy leather at the price set by the government due to the wages of the workers.

Ashraf, a seasional trader from Shalban area of the city, said that he collected more than two hundred pieces of leather from different neighborhoods this time. In fact, he had to sell the leather at a loss of 30,000 taka for selling it at night in Hajipara of the city. He had to count heavy losses as the traders refused to buy leather. Traders said that due to the syndicate of some traders in Rangpur, outside traders and tannery representatives cannot come to the area.

This has affected the price of leather. Rangpur leather traders said that they themselves are victims of syndicates. Buy leather and give it to tannery owners. But many are now hostage to a handful of tannery owners. Many have suffered financial loss for years as they could not sell leather at a fair price.

The Hajipara Tanners' Cooperative Society and the District Tanners' Association were formed around Rangpur's leather trade. Now it is not. Leather traders Rafiqul Islam, Tauhid Islam and Qutb Uddin said that many could not keep the leather business due to failure to collect the due money from the tannery owners. Many others have been forced to change profession due to lack of capital without getting loans in the leather business. They said that they have bought good quality cow leather for up to 1000 taka. If these skins are to be salted, there is a separate cost including labour. All in all, they bought leather at a price close to the price fixed by the government.

Afzal Hossain, President of the District Tannery Association, said that there is no alternative way of storing leather locally except tannery. The price of salt is increasing. Small leather traders are not given credit. Tannery owners are taking loans in the name of leather business and investing it elsewhere. There is no price for leather now. Everyone is financially affected. Among the more than two hundred tanneries in the country, only a handful of tanneries are operational.

District Livestock Officer Doctor Enamul Haque said that more than 3 lakh cows and goats have been sacrificed in the entire district including Rangpur city. These leathers of sacrificial animals are collected by the local seasonal traders and small businessmen and delivered to the big traders.

Bisik District Office Deputy General Manager (Acting) Ehechanul Haque said that Bisik conducted free salt distribution program to preserve the skin of sacrificial animals. Salt has been distributed free of charge to private madrasas and orphanages that will preserve the skins of sacrificial animals. Bisik district office has distributed 1,200 kg of salt till June 15. In Rangpur district, about 2 thousand 135 metric tons of salt is needed to preserve the skin of sacrificial animals.