the goan I network
PANAJI
Peeved by the unending closure of the Goa Meat Complex, the Quraishi Meat Traders Association of Goa has approached the Bombay High Court seeking directions to the government to restart the government-run abattoir.
The Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notice to the Goa Government and kept the matter for initial hearing on August 7.
The traders who currently rely on meat from Karnataka to supply to Goa’s markets have said that they are unhappy with the government which is making no effort to restart the slaughterhouse.
In an earlier order passed in July 2016, the High Court had directed the government to make the Goa Meat Complex operational that year.
“It is further pointed out that presently, the premises of Goa Meat Complex are not functional as the work of renovation is in progress and such work was expected to be completed...but now delayed… We fail to comprehend why such a long delay is taken to complete the renovation work,” the court had said observing that the staff and officials of the government corporation are maintained without carrying out any duties.
“Delay in making the Goa Meat Complex operational would otherwise severely affect the business activities of the... [meat traders] of practicing their trade by complying with the provisions of law. Further delay in starting the Meat Complex would severely affect the rights of the citizens who are deprived of availing the benefits of such business,” the court had said as it directed that the government agencies to “provide facilities for slaughter of animals in terms of the relevant provisions of law and make the Goa Meat Complex functional on or before 30.09.2016 and submit a compliance report thereof.”
Almost two years later, the Meat Complex is yet to restart operations.
