Maharashtra Govt to modify livestock panel's order for halt on animal markets: Opposition
Even as Opposition MLAs claimed the Maharashtra government on Monday has withdrawn a May 27 circular sent to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) not to hold any livestock market from June 3 to 8 ahead of Eid al-Adha, commonly known as Bakri Eid, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which issued the directive, denied it has been withdrawn.
'One of the first agendas of our meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was this circular. We were told at the beginning by the animal husbandry secretary that the government has withdrawn the circular,' said Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Sheikh, after attending a meeting with the CM along with several other MLAs on the preparedness for upcoming Bakri Eid festival.
Congress MLA Amin Patel, who was present at the meeting, said the demand has been accepted. 'It was conveyed that a new modified order will be issued,' said Patel.
The Indian Express on June 1 reported that in a May 27 circular sent to all APMCs, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog said in light of the upcoming Bakri Eid festival, when large-scale animal slaughter/ sacrifice is carried out, no livestock markets should be held in villages across districts from June 3-8 to ensure that no illegal slaughter of bovines takes place. 'Please stay vigilant in this matter,' it said, referencing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which enforces a complete ban on the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state.
Despite the Opposition's claim, Maharashtra Goseva Ayog chairman Shekhar Mundada, however, denied withdrawing the circular. 'We have not withdrawn the circular. But we work only around preventing cow slaughter. We have nothing to do about other animals,' said Mundada.
A highly placed source in the state government said the ban was never on goat meat and the circular is being modified. 'The state has strictly imposed a ban on cow slaughter which continues. But as far as goat or other animals are concerned, there was never a ban on it,' said a senior government official.
N Ramaswami, secretary, animal husbandry department, could not be contacted for comment despite several attempts.
Maharashtra has 305 principal and 603 secondary APMCs, and these are regulated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board under the APMC Act. There are 292 livestock markets functioning in Maharashtra, and almost all are regulated by the APMCs.
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