MEERUT: In another jolt to dairy owners in city’s Cantonment area, the Meerut Cantonment Board (MCB) on Friday said that it will not provide any “alternative plot” to the animal owners who have been asked to vacate the military area. They are unauthorised occupants, and can fend for themselves, the MCB said.
A few days ago, the MCB had asked all the dairies in the Cantonment area to vacate the four premises which they are occupying “illegally”.
The main problem, the board has argued, is the waste that is generated from the dairies, in the form of animal waste and feeding material. However, the board is keen on pursuing another proposal-- establishing a gaushala (cow shed).In June this year, a proposal for setting up the ‘gaushala’ was submitted to the board by some members.
The board had okayed the proposal in principle and had asked the members to draw up an elaborate plan.
On Monday, the MCB had asked the people who use the premises to keep and milk animals, to vacate the four locations within 45 days. The dairies are located at four places in Cantonment area -- Sadar Bazar, Regiment Bazar, Tope Khana and Lal Kurti.
In all, there are 115 dairies and around six to seven thousand people dependent on these dairies.The dairy owners were hopeful that the Cantonment board will provide an alternative space for them. “Why should the board provide alternate arrangement? These people are unauthorised occupants and have to be removed. Moreover, there is a lot of waste that is generated from these dairies. It really causes a lot of problems as the waste spills over on to the streets. That is why these dairies have to be removed. They will not get any help from the board,” said MA Zafar, media officer, MCB.