MLA demands cattle sheds for milk vendors in Chennai

Chennai: There are several milk vendors with cows and their livelihood is adversely affected if the animal is seized and pounded with fines.

“The State can set a precedence by setting up cattle sheds and charge a fee cattle owners for each bovine. This will regularise owning cattle in Chennai and ensure that the safety of motorists from stray cattle on the roads,” Paranthaman said in his letter to the assembly.

He told DT Next that corporation lands and poromboke lands can be converted into cattle sheds.

“These sheds would also need better drainage and water provision facilities. At present, the corporation does not permit residents to have more than one cow. This practice makes milk vendors vulnerable to municipal action,” he added.

Additionally, the frequent visits by sanitary inspectors, seizure of cows and lack of space is a nightmare for the milk vendors.

“A dedicated place to house cattle should be allotted in each zone and milk vendors can be asked to operate from there. This will also reduce the sewer complaints that are common near private cow sheds,” said T Kumar, a milk vendor in Tondiarpet. “The government should enumerate the number of cattle and enact a policy to help the owners.”