Sources said the LDOs originally operated under the State’s Animal Husbandry Department. However, after internal restructuring, several posts were either revised or dissolved, and the responsibility of deploying LDOs at the Deonar facility was transferred to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
Cattle at the Deonar abattoir. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Following mid-day’s report on Tuesday highlighting how a shortage of veterinary officers at the Deonar Abattoir threatened Mumbai’s meat supply, the Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department has issued a temporary relief order. In response to the staffing crisis, it has reinstated nine livestock development officers (LDOs) at the Deonar slaughterhouse to ensure smooth animal inspections and operations until July 31.
Sources said the LDOs originally operated under the State’s Animal Husbandry Department. However, after internal restructuring, several posts were either revised or dissolved, and the responsibility of deploying LDOs at the Deonar facility was transferred to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Earlier, 15 LDOs were stationed at Deonar, but all were transferred to various locations across Maharashtra. While six of them received new postings, nine were left to manage inspections. These nine continued overseeing the mandatory health checks of animals brought in for slaughter.
Despite this, the BMC failed to appoint timely replacements. With Bakri-Eid approaching, the department extended the services of the remaining nine LDOs until July 13 to maintain the inspection and certification process.
After their extended term expired on July 13, reports emerged that all veterinary officers had vacated the centre, leaving the abattoir without qualified staff to inspect animals or issue health certificates. While animals inspected before the deadline were cleared for slaughter, further operations faced suspension, posing a serious threat to the city’s meat supply.
In response, MLA Rais Shaikh raised the issue with Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde in the State Legislative Assembly. Simultaneously, local meat traders, including the Al-Quraish Human Welfare Association, urged the Maharashtra Government and BMC to take swift corrective measures.
Acknowledging the urgency, the state government has now extended the services of the nine LDOs for another 15 days, averting immediate disruption at the Deonar slaughterhouse.
MLA Rais Shaikh said, “Since the government has granted temporary relief, I will soon meet the concerned department officials and demand the immediate appointment of livestock development officers at the Deonar slaughterhouse.”
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