TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Stating that the Goa Meat Complex was not represented and that its functioning was misrepresented before the High Court, Chairman Lyndon Monteiro said that they would be filing a review petition against the orders passed by the High Court, this time through their own advocate.
He also said that they would resume slaughter of cattle as per the three laws in force, that regulate the slaughter of animals and the additional restrictions imposed by the High Court within three days besides also importing beef to meet additional demand.
Addressing mediapersons Monteiro countered the contention that the ‘competent authority’ as mandated under the Goa Animal Preservation Act, 1995 to certify the animals before slaughter and the veterinary officer who conducts a post mortem of the slaughtered animal was being done by one and the same person.
“An impression has been made before the High Court that these tasks are being performed by the same person. This is wrong. We have a competent authority appointed by the government. This has been the practice for year together at Goa Meat Complex and is within the purview of laws,” Monteiro said.
He further said that given that the Goa Meat Complex is a company registered under the Companies Act, and they were neither served a notice, not allowed to represent themselves before the High Court since they were not respondents, but that they would now file a review petition through their own advocate.
“An opportunity has not been given to us to be heard. We have our own legal officer. The High Court passed order based on papers before it,” Monteiro said.
“We will file a review petition through our own advocate from Mumbai Adv Mihir Dessai before the High Court. The petition will be drafted taking into views all the stakeholders. We will request review of the judgement as it is based on incomplete information,” Monteiro said adding that there were attempts by “elements to mislead and give a different colour to the happenings at the Goa Meat Complex.”
When asked why there was a delay in making themselves heard before the court, Monteiro said that they were not officially communicated about any of the proceedings in the court and further have decided to act because they are aggrieved with the orders of the court.
Monteiro said, that the review petition they file before the High Court, would also point out that the necessity to bring in animals from the neighbouring states to cater to the beef demand of the state.
“At present the number of animals available within Goa fit for slaughter is insufficient to meet the demand of the state,” Monteiro said.
Meanwhile, the Goa Meat Complex would begin slaughter of animals brought by the traders within the next three days and if the supply of local animals fit for slaughter is not enough, the Goa Meat Complex would import beef from the legal slaughter houses in the country.
Speaking about the observations made by the three-judge bench appointed committee, Monteiro said that he did not agree with some of the observations made before the court by that committee and that he had a right to defend the Complex.
The requirement of beef in the State is nearly 150-180 animals of which 70-80 animals were being slaughtered per day on an average at the State’s sole legal abattoir.
Earlier in the day, a delegation of meat traders met the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to impress upon him the need to bring in animals from other states.
Speaking to Herald, Anwar Bepari, a leader of the meat traders said that since they were all traders in fresh beef, it was pertinent that they be allowed to slaughter animals at the Goa Meat Complex.
“We are all dealers in fresh beef. Given that there is shortage of animals fit for slaughter in Goa we should be allowed to bring in animals from neighbouring states for slaughter,” Bepari told Herald.
He further said that since animals in Goa are smaller in size than those found in the neighbouring states, it was often misconstrued that they were younger animals that were being slaughtered. They will be holding another meeting with government authorities on Saturday to follow up the situation.
Meanwhile, the growing impatience about the unavailability of beef is becoming evident. Minister for Environment and Forests Alina Saldanha has in a statement sought that the crucial ingredient be made available especially at a time when many village and cross feasts are celebrated at which beef is an inseparable part of the festive buffets.
“During weddings and other festivals/feasts the menu invariably includes many beef preparations. The closure of the Goa Meat Complex on account of the High Court orders has resulted in drastic curtailment of supplies with the result that meat eaters are not able to get their daily requirements. Even at celebrations Goan delicacies which include meat delicacies are missing. Chicken and fish are no substitutes due to their short supply and exorbitant prices,” Saldanha said. She called for early resumption of the slaughter and called for booking those involved in illegalities.
“Let’s hope that a suitable and just settlement would be expeditiously found for this vexatious problem. The persons/traders/officials who may have indulged in illegal activities which led to the present scenario should face the most stringent punishment to set an example to others in the future,” she said.
