Panaji, Jun 18 (TOI): The BJP-led Goa government will write to the Centre raising objections to certain aspects of the central notification on cattle trade as it will have a severe impact on the hospital industry and other ancillary industries, town and country planning minister Vijai Sardesai said here on Saturday.

Sardesai, a member of Goa Forward Party which is a BJP ally in the ruling coalition, said he had already raised it with chief minister Manohar Parrikar and also written to him.

"The Goa government will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising objections to the recent notification affecting the beef trade. My personal opinion is that this will result in the penury of farmers, besides severely affecting the meat, leather trade, hospitality and other ancillary industries," he said.

On Thursday, the Centre gave indications that the government will tweak the rules to demarcate an area in livestock markets for the sale and purchase of animals for slaughter. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also sought to allay fears of a complete ban on beef. "The NDA government does not intend to bring in any law that would in any manner interfere with the eating habits of any community," he had said.

On behalf of the state government, Sardesai also appealed to all sections of society and assured the Quereshis and Beparis (the meat traders) that "we will ensure that there is no injustice to anyone. We are not here to appease anyone but to protect Goemkarponn as the Indian Constitution is quite clear about one's freedom to consume. So nobody can tell you what to eat, as it is a personal choice, though one can recommend. The government will take strict action if law is taken into one's hands," he said.

Following Centre's notification, Goa stared at beef shortage in the last week of May, after cattle for slaughter from Karnataka was stopped at the border. Goa completely depends on cattle from Karnataka to meet its demand for beef.