Staff Correspondent

There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals during the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha and the government is fully prepared for the supply and management of sacrificial animals, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman.

The minister said this at the inter-ministerial meeting regarding demand assessment, supply and ensuring free transport of sacrificial animals on the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha held under his chairmanship at the conference room of the Directorate of Livestock on Thursday.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister and Awami League Presidium member Birmuktijoddha Md. Abdur Rahman said, like other years, the demand for sacrificial animals has been determined. 22 lakh 77 thousand 973 additional cattle are ready for sacrifice. This time the number of sacrificial animals is 1 crore 29 lakh 80 thousand 367 which is 4 lakh 44 thousand 34 more than last time. As a result, there is no doubt, crisis or cause for fear about the sacrificial animal.

Stating that we want to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha beautifully, the minister further said that Eid-ul-Azha is a very important chapter for the Muslim community.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and other government departments are working to ensure that it can be celebrated with ease and with full preparation. For the sacrificial animal in the past there had to be a waiting period. But we are now able to perform the sacrifice with animals produced in the country, he commented.

The minister said that necessary instructions will be issued in the bordering districts so that the illegal entry of cattle into the country does not happen. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, our livestock department officials, farmers and entrepreneurs working together have brought revolutionary changes in the livestock sector. Our production in this sector has increased.

Calling for hygiene rules to be followed in the sacrificial market, the Livestock Minister said that diseased animals will not be allowed to be sold in the market. Special care will be taken to ensure that buyers and sellers are not subjected to undue harassment. Sufficient members will be deployed to maintain law and order in the market.

The minister also said that if a farmer sells animals from his home this year too, he will not have to pay the result. If a farmer wants to take his animals to a distant market, he cannot be forced down the road. In this case, the law enforcement forces, local government units such as municipalities, upazilas or union parishads, city corporations will ensure this.

If someone sells an animal on the way to the market, the lessee will not be able to forcefully accept payment or revenue from him. We want to make sure of that. He advises the farmers to do financial transactions in a smart way instead of carrying cash whenever possible.

The minister said that like last year, this year too, the system of selling sacrificial animals will continue across the country on the online platform. Which will create a pleasant situation for both buyer and seller. He also said that no one tries to sell unsuitable or diseased animals for sacrifice in the hope of profit.

Each scheduled sacrificial animal market will have a veterinary medical team. The Minister said at the time that they will check whether the sacrificial animals are safe and suitable for sacrifice or whether any harmful substances have been introduced into their bodies.

The minister further added that the relevant authorities will be requested to ensure that nothing is done on the highway or where the haats are set up which may affect the traffic. Priority will be given to vehicles carrying sacrificial animals on roads or bridges, so that no artificial crisis is created by trapping animals on the road.

In this case, a control room (Hot Line-16358) will be operational in the Directorate of Livestock. The minister said that if there is any problem in the animal market, if you call the hot number, remedial action will be taken.

Secretary Mohang Salim Uddin, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Additional Secretary ATM Mustafa Kamal and Director General of Directorate of Livestock Dr. Mohammad Rayazul Haque, Council of Ministers Division, Ministry of Railways and Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Division, Dhaka North and South City Corporation, Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association representatives attended the meeting.