Goa Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo has hit out at his party-led government over its “failure” to act against “so-called cow vigilantes”, alleging that it has resulted in a beef shortage in the coastal state.
Claiming that the shortage of beef was affecting the state’s tourism industry, the BJP MLA from Calangute in North Goa district demanded the government-run Goa Meat Complex, which has been non-operational since October last year, be re-started immediately. He also said that if beef from other states is not brought into Goa, the tourist state must “slaughter certified cattle” within the state.
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Speaking in the Goa Assembly on Wednesday, Lobo said, “Some so-called cow protectors are standing at the state border&blocking entry for beef being brought to Goa. Goa meat complex is shut. We’ve failed on this front. There are many meat eaters in Goa. Tourists come here to eat beef. There is a shortage of beef.”
“Some people may not like the way I am talking. If we do not want beef to come from Karnataka & Maharashtra, then certified cattle in Goa should be slaughtered at govt meat complex. It has to start,” he added.
Cow protection groups, including the Gau Raksha Abhiyaan, have alleged beef in Goa is brought from illegal slaughterhouses in Karnataka, a charge denied by Bepari. He said non-availability of beef has resulted in a rise in the prices of mutton and chicken in the state. Gau Raksha Abhiyaan leader Hanumant Parab earlier claimed cattle were being slaughtered in abattoirs across the border without approval from authorities.
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