Addressing the media, Churchill said the government should put the arrangement in place before the beginning of Easter festival in early April. “We respect the sentiments of our Hindu brethren when it comes to slaughter of cows; however, there’s no harm if ageing and unfit bulls and bullocks are slaughtered for meat,” he said, while slamming the government for the beef shortage witnessed in the State over the last few days.
Pointing that leather footwear is made from the hide of cattle, Churchill demanded to know whether these vested interests that are creating hurdles in the slaughter of animals would also stop from wearing leather footwear.
Referring to the government move to import beef to make up for the shortage, Churchill demanded that the Goa Meat Complex restart full-fledged operations so that people eking a living out of the slaughter and sale of beef are not put on the streets for want of the slaughter facility.
He also questioned the logic behind empowering NGOs to certify whether a particular animal is fit for slaughter or not, saying the certification work falls within the ambit of the Veterinary department.
“Unlike mutton or chicken, when a common man can afford to buy beef, it is surprising that the rate of beef is artificially increased by vested interests,” he said, while disclosing plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar for interrupted supply of beef for the beef eating Goan population.
