Crackdown will eat into fav diet, fear beef buffs

LUCKNOW:The state government’s crackdown on illegal slaughter houses has come as a jolt to beef lovers, many of whom believe this will deprive them of protein rich diet. Others fear that this would escalate the prices of meat beyond their purchasing power. Some even say that this step is just to harass a particular community which eats beef and that it will result in increase in the prices of vegetables, hitting the kitchen budget of vegetarians as well.

However, till now there has been no effect on the rates of vegetables due to shortage of beef in the city markets. On the contrary, prices of some of the vegetables have gone down.

In Kasaibada, where a number of buffaloes were slaughtered daily, there is no action these days. Only a few license holders in Billauchpura are selling beef. They feel only those who have a license to slaughter buffaloes should be allowed sell beef. A number of them said they were happy that illegal slaughter houses were being stopped , as the customers would turn to them for supply.

However, some beef consumers are not happy with the government’s effort to regulate the trade. Javed Ahmed Siddiqui of Cantt Road, Qaiserbagh said, “Recent action of government to act against illegal slaughter houses in the state will deprive a number of beef lovers a preferred food option. In the name of banning illegal slaughter houses, they are acting against small meat sellers. The officials must understand the difference between meat sellers and slaughter houses.”

“Indirectly, the action on slaughter houses and small shops will also impact those who do not eat beef because the cost of mutton, chicken, eggs and even vegetables is set to rise,” said Tanveer, who runs a non veg food joint.

Beef sells in Lucknow for Rs 160-200 a kg compared to mutton at Rs 400-500, while chicken is priced at Rs 120-130 a kg. But if beef is not available in the city, then the rates of mutton and chicken would rise.

Shahbuddin, a meat seller in Gomti Nagar said, “Prices of eggs, mutton and chicken are still the same but they will rise as beefeaters are forced to shift demand. The government should think about alternatives to slaughter houses, as it has created a vacuum in the supply of beef in the city.” Chief veterinary officer, LMC, AK Rao said, “We are not here to harass anyone. The corporation just wants to regulate the trade according to norms. Action against cutting of any animal in the open, without proper drainage and meat trade in small shanties cannot be allowed. The norms of slaughtering the animals must be followed according to the Act and norms of Pollution Control Board.”

The LMC just wants to regulate the trade according to norms. Action against cutting of any animal in the open, without proper drainage and meat trade in small shanties cannot be allowed.

AK RAO , chief veterinary officer, LMC

Indirectly, the action on slaughter houses and small shops will also impact those who do not eat beef because the cost of mutton, chicken, eggs and even vegetables is set to rise

TANVEER, runs non-veg food joint