Minister denies cancelling cattle export agreement

Mumbai: The Jain community has objected to a move to export two lakh sheep and goats to Saudi Arabia every month for slaughter, but the state government has denied cancelling its agreement with a Saudi Arabian company, which has received sanction for the same from the Union government.

“We have stayed the decision for the time being and will convince the Jain community,” said animal husbandry minister Mahadeo Jankar. “This move would increase the Dhangar community’s income. If the Jain community wants to cancel it, it should take up the responsibility of increasing the income of Dhangars or give work to the one lakh-strong Dhangar population in each district,” he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha had raised the issue with Union ministers Suresh Prabhu, Nitin Gadkari and Maneka Gandhi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the wake of the Jain community objecting to decision. Mr Jankar said, “The Union commerce ministry, state government and Saudi Arabian company had finalised the agreement to export two lakh goats and sheep every month.