MAPUSA: Beef traders across the state suffered losses running into lakhs of rupees on Sunday on account of a delay by the Goa Meat Complex in supplying the meat to the traders.
The beef traders have decided to meet Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday to apprise him of the situation and to air their grievances.
Sunday is usually a big business day for the beef traders across the state and the ongoing wedding season means more demand for the meat.
However, beef lying in the chillers of Goa Meat Complex could not be transported to the traders on Sunday morning leaving the traders upset, with customers visiting their shops returning back without their share of beef.
When contacted, managing director of Goa Meat Complex Uday Pednekar confirmed that beef was not supplied on time and there was a delay. He said, “Due to the rain on Saturday night, there was a power failure as a result of which the early morning stock could not be shifted and transported.” He, however, said that arrangements were made later to transport beef to traders.
President of Qureshi Meat Traders’ Association Manna Bepari said, “Beef traders across the state are upset over the lethargic attitude of officials of Goa Meat Complex due to whom the slaughtered stock kept in the chillers could not be supplied to the traders causing them huge loss of business.”
He said, “Since there was rain Saturday night, there was power failure at the Goa Meat Complex but officials made no attempt to avail the benefit of generators, which are present at the Complex. Our loaders were present at the Complex till early morning but no officials were present.”
Secretary of the Association and beef trader in Mapusa Goush Bepari expressed anger over the attitude of the officials. He said, “Sunday is always a big business day for all the traders. Moreover, we have wedding season and feast time due to which we had a lot of orders. With no supply of beef, we could not fulfil the demand which has resulted in losses.” “If we only consider Mapusa traders, then the loss will be around Rs 7 lakh. Similarly, traders in other places like Margao, Vasco, Panaji and Ponda and other areas may have also faced losses,” he said.
Sources claimed that the beef traders made several attempts to reach the officials at the Goa Meat Complex since early Sunday morning but no one was available. Later, around 12 noon, an arrangement was made by the officials of Goa Meat Complex to supply beef to the traders. However, the stock was refused by the traders.
Manna Bepari said, “Around 12 noon, an arrangement was made to supply beef but all our traders refused to accept it, as we were not sure about the condition of beef, which was stocked in the chillers in the absence of power supply.”
