Shoe manufacturing, tanneries, and cricket units stumps in the interest of abattoir ban in Uttar-Pradesh

Summary report of ‘The Hindu’ article published on April 11, 2017.

Not only ban in Uttar Pradesh hit the meat export industry and 10 lakh people it employed, it has also triggered waves of panic among Meerut's cricket ball manufacturing units, Kanpur's tanneries, 11,000-odd shoe manufacturing units in Unao and Hapur that operates from private residences, and the big leather export units in Agra.

In Meerut which is the hubs for sports goods has started showing the face of crises, as the cost of cricket balls has shot up by Rs 30 to 40 Rs per ball.

This is not to say that all is well for the few slaughter houses that were not sealed. With cattle dealers fearing attacks from vigilantes, even legal slaughter houses are not able to function.

The non-availability of buffalo hide in the state has left the leather industry, which provides the employment to nearly 25 lakh people.

And if it continues non-availability of buffalo hide, then it expected to hit the country’s leather export business, which was valued at Rs 38,396 crores in 2015-2016, said by Upendra Singh, president of the Agra Shoe Manufacturer Association (ASMA).

If the situation did not ease out soon, the livelihoods of lakhs of people associated with the industry would be hit. 

Now, this issue is turning the twist as it touches the scope of article 21 and 19 (1) (g), it would be interesting to see the court's observation as well as the governments' forthcoming stand on the subject matter.