Thiruvananthapuram: Slaughter ban not to affect modernisation of abattoir

Thiruvananthapuram: The Corporation has made it clear that it will be going ahead with the project to modernise the slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy, even as the central government has banned the sale of cattle in open markets for slaughter. Most of the cattle slaughtered in Thiruva-nanthapuram come from Tamil Nadu although the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) 2017 does not permit cross-border sale of cattle. The rule says that no one is allowed to “sell the cattle to a person outside the State without the permission as per the State cattle protection or preservation laws”. The rule could potentially affect Thiruvanantha-puram and the functioning of the slaughterhouse.

But Mayor V.K. Prasanth said that since the state government did not support the recently notified rules, there was no reason to worry. He said that the Corporation’s slaughterhouse modernisation project, estimated to cost Rs 32 crores, would be funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). He said that the Corporation supported the Kerala government stand. “The ban will affect the employment of hundreds of people. The rules do not suit Kerala,” he said. Health Standing Committee Chairperson K Sreekumar also said that the livestock market rules did not suit Kerala, where cattle is sold at ‘chantha’ (market).

The Kunnukuzhy slaughterhouse was shut down in February 2014 by State Pollution Control Board citing violations. The previous council had decided to modernise it. They had zeroed in on Raiba Industries, a company from Maharashtra, however the MoU was not signed and the funds had lapsed. Last year, the Corporation had sought funds from the state planning board for the project. Health Standing Committee Chairperson K Sreekumar said “We have prepared an estimate. Now Suchitwa Mission has sought a detailed estimate. The project is progressing.”