Now, mutton and chicken on wheels in Hubballi

J Abbas Mulla | Apr 28, 2020, 04:00 IST

Hubballi: There is good news for non-vegetarians in the city as they need not go outside their houses to get mutton or chicken from Tuesday.
To make the lockdown more effective in the state, Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Board, in collaboration with civic authorities, had started a ‘Meat on Wheels’ concept in seven districts in mid-April. This has been extended to Hubballi on Monday.
It has already been launched in Bengaluru, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Mandya, Mysuru and Chikkaballapur.
According to Dr G M Nagaraj, deputy director, Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Board, nearly 170 SC/ST beneficiaries had been given vehicles to sell non-vegetarian food. Now these vehicles are not being used due to the lockdown. “So we are using these specially designed vehicles with stainless steel body and fitted with various things like freezers, refrigerator, gas stove, cylinder, generator and other things to provide mutton and chicken at doorsteps. The vehicles will supply raw meat and chicken till the lockdown is over. Various corporations including BBMP are keen to utilise these vehicles now. Based on the decision taken by the corporation, the price of the mutton will be fixed between Rs 550 to 700.
Suresh Itnal, commissioner, HDMC, said to make people stick to lockdown norms, they are providing meat and chicken at the doorsteps in Hubballi. Later, it will be introduced in Dharwad too, he said.
Dr Sunil Kumar Sheelavanthmath, assistant director of the board in Dharwad, said the prices of mutton and chicken would be fixed by civic authorities.
In Hubballi, the mutton price is fixed at Rs 650 and chicken at Rs 180. Those in the vehicles have been asked to maintain social distancing and follow all hygiene instructions including wearing gloves etc. Those already trained at Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, will operate these vehicles, he said.