Non-veggies in Mysore will have to go without their favourite kuri saaru (mutton curry) for the next few days at least. Meat stalls in the city have dumped mutton and started selling chicken instead, to protect Mysore City Corporation (MCC)’s recent decision to entrust private players with the responsibility of slaughtering sheep and selling the meat to city-based meat shops.
Earlier, health department officials used to visit the abattoir and certify the meat’s quality. “But it was becoming too cumbersome for MCC. So, we decided to invite tenders from private parties to supply meat under regulation from MCC. This year one Charanraj has emerged the highest bidder; so he is given the responsibility to choose sheep, slaughter them and sell the meat to mutton shops in the city,” MCC Commissioner KS Raikar, said.
But meat stall-owners have objected to the new system and decided to boycott sale of mutton till the old system is restored. Mohammad Masood, member of the Mysore Meat Merchants Association (MMMA) told DNA: “The association has asked meat stall owners not to operate under the new system. MCC is opening the meat market for monopolies which is not acceptable.”
Charanraj, however, said he will continue to supply mutton to meat stall owners throughout the day.
“I have won the tender to supply mutton in the city at a cost of Rs90,000 per month,” he said.
Last week, MCC authorities raided some mutton stalls and confiscated their wares for not operating as per the new system.
Meanwhile, following the decision by mutton stall owners to sell chicken in stead of mutton, sheep markets in Mandya, Bannur (Mysore taluk), Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar are severely hit. “Since Sunday, consignments have not been lifted by agents and they are unlikely to move stock till Tuesday,” a meat shopowner in Mysore said.
