Maharashtra ban on beef to hurt hotels

The big impact, say experts, of the ban on bovine meat in  Maharashtra will be on local hotels and restaurants.

The hotels, restaurants and catering  segment remains one of the largest consumers of beef in the country. The food processing industry, mainly the cold cuts and frozen food makers, on the other hand, count on chicken, pork and lamb rather than beef.

"Beef is the preferred item for almost all foreigners. The ban will have a huge impact," said Anil Madhok, managing director of Sarovar Hotels, which has properties in the city as well as across the country.

Interestingly, the new law keeps water buffaloes out of its purview, which many hotel and restaurant owners argue is what is primarily consumed in the country as beef. "Most of the beef served in India is buffalo meat. Very little comes from cows due to obvious religious reasons. Luxury hotels primarily import their beef," says an executive from the association of hotels and restaurants in Mumbai, arguing the government's latest diktat should be put in perspective.

Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who was instrumental in ensuring a Presidential Assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 19 years after it was passed in the Maharashtra Assembly, said the new amendment would come into force once the notification was issued by the state government. This is expected to happen shortly.

The beef trade in the state, for the record, is largely controlled by Muslims of the Qureshi caste, which is said to be mulling legal action against the government move.

All-India Jamatul Qureshi President Mohammed Rauf Quershi told Business Standard, "We are exploring an option of challenging the new Act, either in the Bombay High Court or in the Supreme Court. The government's move will render people associated with the beef trade jobless. This move is counterproductive."

Consumption of bull and bullock meat, according to food experts, is estimated to be in the region of 75,000-90,000 kg in Mumbai alone.

Besides, several organisations fear the ban will adversely impact the export of medicines produced from bullock beef and organs.

RELIGION TRUMPS BUSINESS

• The biggest impact of the ban on bovine meat in Maharashtra will be on hotels and restaurants
   
• This segment remains the largest consumer of beef in the state as well as India
   
• Frozen food or cold cut makers, on the other hand, largely count on chicken, pork and lamb rather than beef to push sales
  

 

The new law mandates not only a ban on the slaughter of bull and buffalo meat, but anyone found to be selling beef or in possession of it can be jailed for five years and fined Rs 10,000
 

It, however, keeps water buffaloes out of its purview, which many hotel and restaurant owners argue is what is primarily consumed in the country as beef