Mumbai, Oct 12 (IANS) Animal welfare NGO PETA has demanded a ban on the use of bullock carts to transport kerosene in the city, but the government says it needs an alternative arrangement in placey.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) made the demand at a meeting with Maharashtra’s food and civil supplies ministry.
The officials told PETA that labour union leaders had been asked to submit a proposal by Thursday, suggesting alternative arrangements to transport kerosene, PETA’s Manilal Valliyate told IANS.
He said two unions — Kamgar Utkarsh Sabha and Maharashtra Shramjivi Sangha — use more than 200 bullocks to transport kerosene from oil ports in Sewri, Wadala and Mulund to various ration shops in the city.
‘Even though the ministry decided in September 2008 to phase out the use of bullock carts by March 2009, many bullocks are still being used, most of them underweight, unthrifty or ill,’ he added.
