Shifting of cattle to slaughterhouses on the rise

Kadapa: The offering of cattle like cows for sacrifice to the village deities during the Jathara for rescuing people from vulnerable and dreadful diseases is quite common. However, in Kadapa district, shifting of animals to slaughterhouses also has become  common as some culprits are playing a key role in encashing on the poor financial status of farmers. According to sources, over 2,000 cattle including cows are being shifted to outside areas from the district for the slaughter.

This scenario is being witnessed in mandals like Rayachoti, Kasinayana, Kalasapadu, Porumamilla, B Kodur, Railway Kodur, Badvel, Vempalli and Khajipet as the farmers have no option but to shift animals wilfully due to scarcity of fodder coupled with poor financial status of farmers.

Shifting of 10,000 livestock in Badvel, Chinnamandem, Gopavaram and Pendlimarri to the slaughter houses by the farmers after they find it difficult to provide them fodder and water highlights the crux of the problem. “What will we do except shifting the cattle to slaughter houses as there is no possibility of providing them fodder and water as our fields and water bodies in the villages have gone dry,” said M Venkata Ramana Reddy of Venkata Settypalli village of Badvel mandal.

Another farmer Veligandla Gopala Reddy of Venkatapuram village of Kalasapadu mandal questioned “How it is possible to feed the cattle as it has become a mammoth task for us earning bread for our families due to severe drought. Our boys are forced to leave the village abandoning kids and aged people in the village. I know shifting cattle to slaughterhouses is a sin, but it is inevitable” he lamented.

“Shifting of cattle to slaughterhouses is an open secret and the administration is aware of it. But who will bother about the animals. What is use of conducting All India Live Stock count for three months in the district without taking proper preventive steps from shifting animals to slaughterhouses,” questioned AP Rythu Sangham district president B Dastagiri Reddy said while speaking to The Hans India here on Sunday.   

However, District Collector CH Harikiran said that in view of protecting the animals, the State government has sanctioned 40 ‘Gokulalu’ to the district. He said proposals were sent to the State government seeking Rs 27 crore for fodder.