Cattle Owners in Mumbai to Pay Heavy Price If Livestock Found on Streets, BMC Decides to Hike Fine by 300%
The BMC has decided to rise the fine for cattle owners by 300%. At present, the cattle owners have to pay Rs 2,500 if their livestock are found wandering or tied up in public places. With the new rule in place, the BMC would hike the fine to Rs 10,000.
Mumbai, July 30: Coming down heavily on cattle owners in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to increase the penalty for tethering cows, bulls and horses to poles on streets in the city. Livestock on busy streets of Mumbai has always been a concern for Mumbaikars. Cows, bulls, buffaloes and horses are seen constantly keep blocking the roads at public places, causing inconvenience to commuters. According to a report by TOI, the BMC has decided to rise the fine for cattle owners by 300%. Mumbai: Stray Cattle Enters IIT Bombay Classroom As Shocked Lecturer and Students Looked On; Watch Video.
At present, the cattle owners have to pay Rs 2,500 if their livestock are found wandering or tied up in public places. With the new rule in place, the BMC would hike the fine to Rs 10,000. The procedure that is followed in Mumbai currently is that if an animal is found on the road, BMC officials have the authority to seize it and send it to the cattle pound in Malad. The cattle owner has to pay a fine of Rs 2,500 and release the cattle.
The TOI report states that the BMC also brands the animal for identification in case the owner violates rules again. The second time, the animal is handed over to an NGO. The proposal came after a request by a Matunga corporator Nehal Shah, who said cows are tied up to poles and passersby pay owners to feed the animals several places including temples, footpaths and roads. He added saying that cow urine, dung dirty public places and hence this should be stopped as it is cruel to tie up the animal the entire day. Shah said that BMC needs to slap steep fines that can stop such creulty.
The report quoted Dr Yogesh Shetye, general manager of the Deonar abattoir, saying that cattle nuisance has been on the rise in Mumbai leading to regular complaints from Mumbaikars. Shetye added saying that there are times when cattle flight takes place on busy roads and cause traffic snarls. Also, due to the cowdung on streets, the motorcyclists slip on them.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).