Shortage of staple foods
Brig (Retd) Ian da Costa
In the past month and more, there has been a gross shortage of beef in the markets of Goa. Slaughter of animals in the Goa Meat Complex was temporarily banned by the Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court. This was due to certain irregularities brought to its notice, by the “Govansh Raksha Abhiyan” (GRA). The demands made by the NGO, was for total stoppage of slaughter of animals for beef and a total ban on the import of animals from outside of the State. These demands have deprived those who consume beef of their staple diet.
Our government is expected to look after all the people of different faiths and religious beliefs. Why has the government been so silent and sluggish in exploring a lasting solution to this problem? Probably they feel that they are now well entrenched, for the next four years, and can afford to displease the people till then. They will then go around once again, with the sob plea that they should be given another chance as they have learnt much from their last experience. They promise not to commit the same mistakes again and we will probably believe them, foolish as we are. Many are raising their voices for Dabolim only. But what about our daily meal, when fish is also terribly scarce, and very expensive?
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After a loud noise was made and the media also raised the issue, through TV and newspapers, some efforts have been made to get beef supplies from outside the State but the costs have sky rocketed to Rs 200 per kilo, which is heavy on the pocket. The quantities of beef coming in so far, is far below the market demand. In Goa, one sees more and more the use of mechanical devices operating in our fields. The world is moving ahead and progress is evident all over the place. The Parrikar government should take a realistic view of these happenings. There are hungry and thirsty cattle on the roads and market places, because they have no one to look after them. They are responsible for scores of accidents, causing deaths and maiming humans.
There are hardly any grazing grounds for cattle, sheep or goats in Goa. There are wastelands galore, which if fed water could produce grass and cattle fodder. But though we get plenty of rain every year, there is no proper plan for rain water harvesting. We could have had small dams on our rivers, big and small, tanks and artificial lakes to provide water and automatically fodder would follow for this necessary activity of animal husbandry. Year after year, all the rain water is allowed to flow into the deep blue sea. This very important resource remains untapped. Who will do this work? You all know the answer. This would engineer a change in climate and the environment would be cooler. This will attract more foreign and domestic tourists and our economy would prosper. The mining industry is in the doldrums and if we do not heed these warnings, our tourism industry will follow suit maybe for different reasons.
Young Indians are not so concerned with caste and creed and building of churches, mosques and temples. Let’s leave it to them and we will find peace and progress will follow. Jai Hind.
