Livestock devp corporation assures steady supply of Haringhata meat

Kolkata: West Bengal Livestock Development Corporation (WBLDC) has taken all possible measures to maintain the supply chain at all its Haringhata Meat outlets in the state, when the state is going through a lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Chicken and other meat items do not come under the lockdown but with transport services unavailable, WBLDC has taken measures so that its outlets do not run short of manpower or supply.

"We have 12 direct outlets in Kolkata and one at Haringhata in Nadia. The arrangement for lodging of staffs who man these outlets has been made at our own guest house in Belgachia. Every day, we have our own transportation arrangement to take them to these outlets and after the end of the day, bring them back to the guest house," said Gouri Shankar Konar, managing director of WBLDC. The stores are being opened from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

The central store for Haringhata Meat in South Bengal and Kolkata is located at Belgachia, while the central store for supply to different parts of North Bengal is situated in Siliguri.

Haringhata Meat has 270-odd outlets spread across the state that are run by franchisees. "We have enough stock to ensure that there is no dearth in supply. So the franchisees have been told not to carry in huge quantity when they come. They have been provided with a notice, indicating that they belong to our brand that comes under the category of essential items stated by the government, so that they are not stopped by the police," a senior WBLDC official said.

There were some problems faced by one or two franchisees as they came to take supply on the very first day of lockdown. But with the requisite notice being handed over, things have gotten smooth.