| Date: |
21-03-2015 |
| Subject: |
Goa govt beefs up minorities' plates |
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PANAJI: Far from joining the BJP governments of Maharashtra and Haryana in banning beef, Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar told TOI on Friday that his government has taken adequate steps to import beef to mitigate any shortage.
There has been a shortage in beef supply after some NGOs blocked transportation of bulls into the state and the government machinery cracked the whip on stalls not possessing licences to operate.
Parsekar reiterated his government's stated position that it would not ban sale of beef in Goa. He said that eating beef is a part of the minority communities' food habit and his government did not want to betray the trust of the Christians and Muslims, which the BJP took several years to earn in the state.
"Beef will continue to be sold in Goa. At present, Goa gets beef supplies from Belgaum in neighbouring Karnataka to overcome the shortage due to closing down of some illegal stalls," said Parsekar. He added that the state government will monitor the supply of beef to Goa to ensure that hygiene is not compromised and Goa's minorities get good quality beef at their doorstep.
He said the state-owned Goa Meat Complex (GMC) is being modernised and as soon as the upgradation is complete, operations will commence.
Recently, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted a special inspection of meat stalls and shops across the state and found 77 shops operating without a food safety licence. Parsekar said that meat stalls have to comply with FDA norms and run their business. "The government cannot exempt beef stalls from obtaining licences," the CM added.
Two weeks ago, traders stopped getting oxen and bulls following monitoring by some NGOs along with the state government. Meat traders alleged that the government machinery had started harassing meat traders while bringing bulls in the state. Following the traders' decision to stop the import of meat and bulls, there was shortage of beef in Goa.
Meat complex chairman Lyndon Monteiro said beef was brought from other states to overcome the crisis. "Currently, there is no beef shortage in the state," he claimed. Monteiro said that on Saturday the meat complex will import 10 tonnes of beef from Karnataka.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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