September 24:Meat vendors in the capital have decided to make a united stand against beef price hike at the source.

For more than three weeks they have stopped importing meat from Phuntsholing and across the border. They say the price of beef has increased to 80 ngultrums a kilogram in Phuntsholing.

Meat vendors said they cannot afford to increase the price here in the capital without approval from the trade department.

Lhagay supplies meat for the RBG mess in Dechencholing. He said if the deadlock between the meat vendor and suppliers continues, he may not be able to bear the financial loss.

The meat vendors in the capital say they are negotiating with the suppliers in Phuntsholing.

In the mean time they are getting their stock from Tsirang and Gelephu but they have not been able to meet the demand.

Apart from beef, the price of fish and pork has also increased but the rise is minimal. Therefore, the supply of pork and fish has not been affected.