Panaji: The Council for Social Justice and Pence has urged the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to intervene in Karnataka’s slaughter ban in their State as it would hurt the beef consumers in the State besides also the traders and employees dependent on the business.
The CSJP has submitted the memorandum, on behalf of the meat traders and the meat consumers as well as in the interest of the tourism industry in the State of Goa, the Church Body said.
“Recently on 9th December 2020 the Government of Karnataka passed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020, which bans the slaughter of bulls and bullocks in the State, as well as prevents the sale of bulls and bullocks within the State and also transportation of bulls and bullocks across the State for the purpose of slaughter. This bill has badly affected the meat traders in the State of Gou which depended totally on the State of Karnataka for the supply of beef for human consumption,” the memorandum says.
Further it says that in 2015 the State of Maharashtra also passed the above mentioned hill because of which the State of Goa was made to depend totally on the State of Karnataka for beef supply.
“Since agriculture is not in a large scale in the State of Goa, the animals needed for supply of beef are not available in the State. That is why the State of Goa depends totally on the State of Kamataka for beef supply. The supply of beef or even live animals for slaughter blocked by both the neighbouring States has seriously affected the livelihood of hundreds of meat traders, who along with their families depend solely on this trade for their survival,” it says.
Moreover, it adds, the meat traders generate employment to a sizable number of people who are also hard hit. It is a fact that vast majority of the population in the State of Goa consume beef. And for many of them beef is the primary source of protein.
“With beef not being available many will be deprived of their staple diet. Goa also is a popular tourist destination both, for domestic as well as international tourists and beef is very important to the culinary business. In a multi cultural society like India, such ban will prove to be a challenge in upholding the plurality, which is the essence of our Nation. Besides, thousands of farmers and dairy farmers from our neighbouring States especially, Karnataka will be impacted by these new rules which prevent them from selling their cattle in the cattle markets for the purpose of slaughter, as a result it would be extremely difficult for the vast majority of these farmers to procure new animals for agriculture purpose,” the memorandum says.
“We urge the Chief Minister of Goa to urgently intervene in this matter with the State of Karnataka on behalf of the State of Goa asking them not to notify this bill in their State in order to safeguard the livelihood of hundreds of meat traders who along with their employees and also their families are totally depended on this trade for their survival. This intervention is also requested on behalf of the vast majority of beef consumers as well as for the benefit of the culinary business Goa and for the benefit of tourism in the State,” CSJP said.