VASCO: Beef consumers from the Port Town struggled to lay their hands on the red meat on Sunday, as traders and shops selling beef shut down their shops in protest on the second day of the indefinite strike.
Several traders in Vasco selling beef joined in the protest alleging harassment by NGOs and members of the Animal Welfare Board.
A beef trader on condition of anonymity said they joined the strike as government's decision was not clear as to when Goa Meat Complex would be fully operational. "They are regularly troubling our trade and we have no idea when the government would take us into confidence and lay guidelines for smooth operation," said the trader.
Meanwhile, former minister Jose Philip D'Souza told The Goan that it was the time of feasts for the Christians and these are not complete without certain traditional delicacies like beef.
"The government should have taken a step to avoid such a situation. I wonder why there are no steps taken by the government when beef forms a part of the staple diet of many Goans. The government is well aware that the daily need of beef in Goa is about 20 tonnes."
"This is not the first time that traders have gone on strike. The government must immediately convene a meeting of traders and find a solution and a way out so that common man is not affected by the strike. There are many feasts lined up. It's the season of marriages and feasts. The government should immediately set guidelines and policies for these traders so that such things don't happen again," said D'Souza.
A local, Samson D'Souza, said his cousins have come from abroad for a marriage in the family, but for the last two days beef items could not be served in the house.
"Why the government is not settling these issues once and for all? We have guests from abroad who have been demanding traditional delicacies made of beef. Many Muslims also relish beef. When chicken, mutton and fish is available at every point, why is the problem only with beef?" asked D'Souza.
Several traders in Vasco selling beef joined in the protest alleging harassment by NGOs and members of the Animal Welfare Board.
A beef trader on condition of anonymity said they joined the strike as government's decision was not clear as to when Goa Meat Complex would be fully operational. "They are regularly troubling our trade and we have no idea when the government would take us into confidence and lay guidelines for smooth operation," said the trader.
Meanwhile, former minister Jose Philip D'Souza told The Goan that it was the time of feasts for the Christians and these are not complete without certain traditional delicacies like beef.
"The government should have taken a step to avoid such a situation. I wonder why there are no steps taken by the government when beef forms a part of the staple diet of many Goans. The government is well aware that the daily need of beef in Goa is about 20 tonnes."
"This is not the first time that traders have gone on strike. The government must immediately convene a meeting of traders and find a solution and a way out so that common man is not affected by the strike. There are many feasts lined up. It's the season of marriages and feasts. The government should immediately set guidelines and policies for these traders so that such things don't happen again," said D'Souza.
A local, Samson D'Souza, said his cousins have come from abroad for a marriage in the family, but for the last two days beef items could not be served in the house.
"Why the government is not settling these issues once and for all? We have guests from abroad who have been demanding traditional delicacies made of beef. Many Muslims also relish beef. When chicken, mutton and fish is available at every point, why is the problem only with beef?" asked D'Souza.
