State govt. to sell meat at low-cost through own outlets & online

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is planning to open its own meat outlets across the state on the lines of state-run Nandini and HOPCOMS units apart from also venturing to sell meat online. As per media report, the outlets will sell low-cost and hygienic mutton. For the online customers the meat will be cut according to the customer’s convenienc

It is gathered that the government has taken this initiative to encourage about eight lakh farmers who rear around 1.5 crore sheep and goats in the state. These outlets will be run by Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Corporation Ltd, which currently runs five sheep farms.

“The government has sanctioned funds to start sheep meat outlets at 40 places currently. It will also provide a subsidy of Rs 1.25 lakh for each outlet. These outlets will be managed by department employees or unemployed youth,” said an officer adding that the government will issue guidelines for the cutting of meat, fixing CCTV cameras inside outlets and 24X7 air conditioning to maintain freshness of the meat.

“We will get meat from these sheep and supply it to the outlets. We will have the biggest slaughter house in the state and it will be set up in Shira taluk of Tumakuru district. The slaughterhouse will be built on 20 acres of government land at an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore, which has been sanctioned. Every day, 15,000 sheep will be slaughtered. Work order for this has also been issued. More such outlets will be opened in the coming days,’’ he added.