Cow slaughter: Kolkata beef dealers to meet officials

The Calcutta Beef Dealers' Association plans to meet the Kolkata civic body regarding a change in cow slaughter timings to check illegal abattoirs in the city.

"In the state-owned Tangra slaughterhouse, cows are slaughtered between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. The meat is delivered to shops in the night... So for consumers who want to have access to fresh beef, the option before them is beef sold by illegal slaughterhouses," Mohammed Ali, President, Calcutta Beef Dealers' Association told IANS.

Ali said the body will recommend to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation that the timings be shifted to early in the morning.

"If the slaughter process takes place between 5.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. then the beef can be delivered during the same day to consumers. So this means, illegal abattoirs will not get a chance to ply their business," Ali said.

In addition, Ali said it would also ease the availability of beef during festive season when the demand is high.

"We will seek an appointment with KMC officials soon," he added.

--IANS

sgh/ssp/lok/dg