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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Bakra Eid: Cow, bull, bullock markets ordered to be closed in Maharashtra villages
Mumbai: A day after withdrawing the controversial order to close all livestock markets in the state during the week of Bakra Eid (Eid-ul-Adha), the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, also known as Maharashtra Commission for Cow Services, on Tuesday issued another circular asking for the suspension of livestock markets for cows, bulls and bullocks in villages for six days — between June 3 and June 8. The circular stated that the order needs to be followed to ensure that the provisions of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act (MAPA), 1976, will not be violated during the Muslim festival, during which goats are slaughtered to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice. Previously, the commission had ordered the closure of all the livestock markets in the state during the same period, leading to strong opposition from members of the Muslim community. The matter was raised by the opposition leaders in a meeting called by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to review the preparations for Bakra Eid, which will be celebrated on June 7. The leaders also questioned the grounds for halting the sale of all animals, including sheep and goats, a week before the festival. Fadnavis had assured the Muslim legislators that the circular would be withdrawn. This is the first time the commission has issued such circulars since it was formed in March 2023. In the last eight days, it has issued three circulars on the matter. The first circular, issued on May 27, directed all the agricultural produce market committees (APMCs) to close all the livestock markets between June 3 and June 8. After it sparked a controversy, the commission issued a second circular, on June 2, allowing livestock markets to remain open but asked the APMC markets to ensure the provisions of the MAPA would not be violated. On Tuesday, it issued a third circular stating, 'Keeping in view of the Bakri Eid festival, you are requested that no livestock markets of cows, bulls and bullocks be operated from June 3 to 8 in any of the villages under your jurisdiction to ensure the provisions of Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976 will not be violated.' The Maharashtra government formed the commission in 2023 to strictly implement its decision to protect cows and their progeny in the state. It was mandated to supervise the rearing of unproductive livestock rendered unfit for milk, breeding, carrying work, or agricultural purposes, as the state government believes the number of these livestock will rise because of its beef ban. The commission was expected to coordinate with various government agencies to stop non-productive cattle from going to slaughterhouses, which is illegal under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 1995, which was passed in March 2015. Not only this, the commission will monitor all the gaushalas (cowsheds) formed for stray and unproductive cattle. It also has the power to provide them with financial assistance wherever required.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Livestock markets allowed from June 3 to 8 at APMCs
Mumbai: Under criticism for its advisory to the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) against holding livestock markets between June 3 and June 8 across the state for Bakr Eid, the Maharashtra Gauseva Ayog, a commission for the welfare of cows and their progeny, revoked its May 7 advisory. After animal husbandry officials informed the meeting headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 2 that the ban on holding livestock markets between June 3 and 8 was revoked, the commission issued a fresh advisory on June 3, stating only the sale and purchase of cows and their progeny would be banned. "We raised the issue with the CM, citing the law which does not give the commission any rights to issue such an advisory. The animal husbandry department intervened. The commission has the rights to only recommend, not to pass any advisory or order. I am glad now livestock markets will be organised, and animals which are allowed for slaughter (buffaloes, goats, sheep, lambs) can be sold," said Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh. Congress MLA Amin Patel, who also attended Monday's meeting chaired by the CM at Sahyadri Guesthouse, said it was a big relief to animal traders, farmers and the community at large. "Farmers and traders wait for the whole year to get a good price for livestock during Bakr Eid festival. Village markets run by APMCs are where most villagers sell and buy livestock during Bakr Eid, and the advisory had upset many," said Patel, who also suggested the modernisation of the BMC-run Deonar abattoir. Imran Babu Qureshi of All India Jamiatul Quresh said, "Anyway, the slaughter of cows and their progeny is prohibited. Our demand was to lift the ban on holding markets for livestock permitted for slaughter."tnn
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Goseva Ayog modifies livestock market ban ahead of Eid, limits it to cattle market
The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which had earlier directed all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to suspend livestock markets from June 3 to 8 in view of Eid al-Adha, has now issued a revised directive. The new order limits the suspension to markets where cows, bullocks and bulls are sold. The earlier circular, issued on May 27, had drawn sharp criticism from opposition MLAs and members of the Muslim community, who questioned the rationale behind halting the sale of all animals — including sheep and goats — a week before the festival. The issue was raised during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday to review preparedness for the upcoming Bakri Eid festival in the state. The revised circular, dated June 3, states: 'In view of the upcoming Bakri Eid, you are requested to ensure that from 03.06.2025 to 08.06.2025, no markets for the sale of indigenous cattle (cows, bullocks and bulls) are held in any villages in your jurisdiction.' The previous circular had mandated the closure of all livestock markets across the state. In contrast, the latest directive is specific to cattle markets, citing the need to prevent violations of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which bans the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state. The Indian Express had reported on June 1 that the May 27 circular instructed all APMCs to shut livestock markets during the week of Bakri Eid to prevent illegal slaughter. The circular had emphasised vigilance, referencing state laws prohibiting bovine slaughter. The original order had sparked widespread backlash. 'The state needs to ensure that cow slaughter does not take place. But what is the intent behind shutting down the entire market,' asked Farooq Ahmad, state vice-president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, who had led a protest in Nanded last week. 'If markets are not held, trade in animals such as goats, buffaloes and sheep will also stop. This will disrupt daily earnings for farmers, porters, brokers, drivers, the Qureshi-Khatik community and labourers.' Maharashtra has 292 livestock markets, most of which are regulated by APMCs. These markets are crucial for farmers, especially at the onset of the monsoon. While cattle are the primary commodity, smaller animals like goats and sheep are also traded, with transactions increasing ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
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.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ban on livestock markets before Eid is a harsh move on farmers: Prakash Ambedkar
After Maharashtra Goseva Ayog's circular on the ban on holding livestock market from June 3 to June 8, 2025, ahead of Bakri-Eid on June 7, members of cattle market committee have raised concerns over the financial crisis they will incur during the period. Most cattle rearers are daily wager farmers who look forward to making good income around the time. The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, a Government of Maharashtra's commission for the welfare of indigenous cows, issued a circular on May 27, 2025, to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in the State that said that in a meeting held on May 14, 2025, it has been decided that while celebrating Bakri Eid festival 2025 in the State, Maharashtra Animal Protection Act 1976 and Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act 1995 (Amendment 4 March 2015) should be implemented. The act prohibits the slaughter of bulls and bullocks in addition to cows, and includes provisions regarding transport, sale, and possession of these animals, regardless of their age or health. The circular read, 'For this festival (Bakri Eid), a large number of animals will be slaughtered/sacrificed. Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act 1995 (Amendment 4 March 2015) has implemented a complete ban on cow slaughter in the State. Section 5A of this Act prohibits the slaughter of cattle, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the purchase and sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, the sale of cattle for slaughter, and the sale of cattle slaughtered outside the State.' The circular informed the APMCs that the commission will ensure that no cattle markets will be held in the villages of any district from June 3, 2025, to June 8, 2025, so that there will be no violation of the Act due to the slaughter of cattle. Veteran politician and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi founder Prakash Ambedkar told The Hindu that the members of the cattle market committee have reached out to them seeking their guidance to oppose the circular. 'We strongly oppose this circular; we are in the process of challenging it. The State has already banned cow slaughter but banning the entire market on days when the sale is expected is a harsh step against the daily wage farmers and a chain of people who depend on it. This is the first time in Maharashtra we have seen such a circular. Who will compensate for the loss so many are going to face due to this circular?' Mr. Ambedkar further questioned the committee's authority over issuing the circular. 'Maharashtra Goseva Aayog does not have the powers to issue such a circulars or orders to the market committees, it should come from the Department of Animal Husbandry.' Lasalgaon APMC's secretary, Narendra Wadhavne said that such an order has never come in the past, but they will have to abide by the circular and follow the instructions. 'There is no ban on sheep or goats but since the market is asked to be shut during those days, many are planning to purchase in advance. This will also interrupt the Bakri Eid rituals of people, which involves animal sacrifice, primarily goat or sheep.'
