MPFWA demands setting up of livestock check gate

The Meghalaya Poultry Farmers Welfare Association (MPFWA) has demanded the state government to set up a quarantine checkgate at the border with neighbouring states for checking the quality of livestock entering the state.

In a memorandum submitted to Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister AL Hek on Tuesday, president of the association D Daminiot Sylliang said, “We therefore would request the government to keep a quarantine checkgate at the border of neighbouring states, so that the department of veterinary can check the quality of livestock entering the state. This will help the consumers get safe and superior quality livestock.”

“While there may be a concern that there are vehicles plying to go to other states its only fair that such vehicles are verified at the entry and exit points between Byrnihat and Jaintia hills (sonapur) to ensure there is no deviation from their statement. It may also be noted that the gate should be integrated together with or next to the toll gates of NHAI so that it will not be able to proceed without the necessary checks,” he said.

He also said that the association also urged the government to enfore maximum penalty under the motor vehicles Act for overloaded vehicles carrying livestock.

“As road transport being a state subject, the responsibility of curbing the overloading of vehicles primarily rests with the State Governments and as per Section 114 of the motor vehicles Act 1988, in case a vehicle is found to be overloaded, the excess load needs to be off-loaded at the cost of the driver / owner of the vehicle in addition to penalty and compounding fee before allowing the vehicle to proceed further.

For example most states are implementing a penalty of 20000/- for overloading and 2000/- per tonne for extra load above the prescribed allowed,” he said.

Sylliang said the association also urged the state government to include poultry mission under its flagship programme to encourage poultry production in order to sustain the entreprenuers as well as meeting the demand of consumers.