BENGALURU: Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Corporation Ltd will soon have its own meat outlets across the state just like Nandini and HOPCOMS outlets. These outlets will sell low-cost and hygienic lamb and mutton.
The government will also have online provision for sale of mutton and lamb. An official from the corporation said, “People can order quality meat online. Meat pieces will be cut according to the customer’s convenience, packed and delivered at their door step.”
According to Krishna, Chairman of the corporation, there are at least 1.5 crore sheep and goats in Karnataka. There are some eight lakh farmers who are into sheep rearing. “The government is coming up with sheep meat outlets across the state in order to encourage these farmers,” he said.
The government has sanctioned funds to start sheep meat outlets at 40 places. It is also giving a subsidy of `1.25 lakh for each outlet. These outlets will be managed by department employees or unemployed youth. “We will supervise the outlets and check if hygiene is maintained,” he said.
Krishna added that the government will issue guidelines including no manual cutting of meat, fixing CCTV cameras inside outlets and 24X7 air conditioning to maintain freshness of the meat. The corporation runs five sheep farms.
“We will get meat from these sheep and supply it to the outlets. Apart from this, we have the biggest slaughterhouse in the state coming up near Shira taluk of Tumakuru district. It is coming up in 20 acres and the government has sanctioned `28 crore for the same. Every day, 15,000 sheep will be slaughtered. Work order for the same has been issued. More such outlets will be opened in the coming days,’’ he added.