Maharashtra: Be ready to shell out more for mutton, chicken, eggs, veggies

Brace yourself. Mutton, chicken, eggs and even vegetables could become more expensive, once the ban on slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks and their calves is implemented across Maharashtra.

Brace yourself. Mutton, chicken, eggs and even vegetables could become more expensive, once the ban on slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks and their calves is implemented across Maharashtra. Even the leather industry in the state could be affected.

According to Aslam Quereshi, president of the All India Sheep and Goat Breeders and Dealers Association, the ban will impact the entire population. “We will see direct hike in prices of other non-vegetarian items such as mutton, chicken and eggs,” said Quereshi. “There are poor people who depend on beef products and they will be forced to shift to other meat products and vegetables because of the ban,” he said.

He said the price of mutton is likely to shoot up to Rs 500 from Rs 400-Rs 450 per kg, while the price of chicken could be hiked to Rs 150 per kilogram from the present Rs 100-125 per kg.

The ban is also set to increase the rates of leather. “We will definitely see a hike in leather products in the coming days due to the ban,” said Manohar Raybage, president, Leather Goods Manufacturing Association. Mumbai has two tanneries in Dharavi and Chembur.

There are 3,600 municipal slaughterhouses in the country. In addition, there are least 30,000 illegal slaughterhouses in the country

As the second largest exporter of beef in the world, India earns about $4.3 billion a year.

How the ban will complicate matters for the government
* They have to build 300 new cow shelters in addition to the 86 existing in the state.

* They have to feed the animals

* Additional squads have to be appointed to take care of the abandoned animals

* They have to appoint additional veterinary doctors to take care of the animals