GMC to meet today as HC allows animal import
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 27 June 2013 17:15 IST
Goa Meat Complex is expected to chalk out its plan of action today evening after the Bombay high court yesterday revised its own interim order, now allowing import of animals for slaughtering in Goa.
The fresh interim order issued yesterday may ultimately settle the shortage of beef in Goa.
The high court had imposed ban on 30 April on import of animals from outside Goa after Govansh Suraksha Manch had brought to the notice mismanagement at the GMC.
This had resulted in beef shortage since Goa had no enough animals above 15 years, which were fit for slaughter.
Goa does not allow cow slaughter, but only bulls, oxen and male buffaloes.
Following the revised interim order, GMC chairman Lyndon Monteiro said the Board would meet today evening and decide the future course of action.
The high court however would continue hearing the petition as the three-member committee appointed by the court has pointed out several irregularities in the functioning of the GMC.
Meanwhile, the beef traders and the GMC had filed intervention applications, pleading review of its earlier order since Goa is starving of beef.
Besides largely the local Christian and Muslim population, beef is also a favourite dish among the tourists, especially foreigners.
Goa has around five lakh minority population of Christians (27%) and Muslims (6%) while around two lakh foreigners visit Goa every year.
The GMC however had claimed in its affidavit that almost 60 per cent Goans eat beef.
The GMC has been earlier slaughtering around 80 animals every day to meet the requirement of fresh beef.
The actual requirement is around 150 animals per day, as claimed by GMC chairman Monteiro.
After the ban on import, the GMC could get hardly any animal for slaughter within Goa while the import of slaughtered animals from Belgaum was around 35 to 40.
