The Uttar Pradesh government's crackdown on illegal slaughterhouse has had ripple effects in Kolkata. Mohammed Ali, President of Calcutta Beef Dealers' Association, told DNA that the export and transport of beef has taken one of its worse-ever hits.
The Uttar Pradesh government's crackdown on illegal slaughterhouse has had ripple effects in Kolkata. Mohammed Ali, President of Calcutta Beef Dealers' Association, told DNA that the export and transport of beef has taken one of its worse-ever hits.
Ali said that there has been a multi-pronged effect on the industry because beef is not being sent to UP and no cows can be brought from there as well. “Since March 24, not a single buffalo has been slaughtered at the Tangra Slaughterhouse, one of the biggest in the state. Under normal circumstances, around 150 buffaloes are slaughtered here everyday. Not only has supply of beef to UP stopped but trucks which must pass UP to most of the other states where beef is supplied, are also being attacked now,” Ali said.
He added that supply of cows and buffaloes from UP and Punjab has also stopped. “Cow slaughter is allowed in Bengal and Kerala, so we procure cows from other states. That too has been stopped,” he said, adding that goods trains comprising 72 bogies would carry cows from UP to Bengal with eight cows in each of the compartments. “You can easily understand the impact. This is in addition to the trouble which we are facing with on-road transportation,” he told DNA. He also said that a representative team of the association would seek appointment with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and keep her apprised of the plight of beef dealers.
Leather dealers too said that business has slumped owing to the UP government's move. Officials of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said that exporters were forced to sell their products at a loss. “Kolkata accounts for over 50% of the exports of finished leather products in India. The shortage of raw hide owing to the ban has already caused a 30% fall in supply, which has resulted in a rise in procurement price. At present, when the international market is witnessing a slowdown and we have signed agreements with overseas buyers, we cannot raise price now for the Autumn-Winter supply. Thus, we have to sell at a loss and after this exporters will be compelled to stop their business,” said Tapan Nandi, convenor chairman for German Investment in India of CLE. He said that the UP government’s decision has defeated the aim of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase exports.
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