Mumbai: Under criticism for its advisory to the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) against holding livestock markets between June 3 and June 8 across the state for Bakr Eid, the Maharashtra Gauseva Ayog, a commission for the welfare of cows and their progeny, revoked its May 7 advisory.After animal husbandry officials informed the meeting headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on June 2 that the ban on holding livestock markets between June 3 and 8 was revoked, the commission issued a fresh advisory on June 3, stating only the sale and purchase of cows and their progeny would be banned.“We raised the issue with the CM, citing the law which does not give the commission any rights to issue such an advisory. The animal husbandry department intervened. The commission has the rights to only recommend, not to pass any advisory or order. I am glad now livestock markets will be organised, and animals which are allowed for slaughter (buffaloes, goats, sheep, lambs) can be sold,” said Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh.Congress MLA Amin Patel, who also attended Monday’s meeting chaired by the CM at Sahyadri Guesthouse, said it was a big relief to animal traders, farmers and the community at large. “Farmers and traders wait for the whole year to get a good price for livestock during Bakr Eid festival. Village markets run by APMCs are where most villagers sell and buy livestock during Bakr Eid, and the advisory had upset many,” said Patel, who also suggested the modernisation of the BMC-run Deonar abattoir. Imran Babu Qureshi of All India Jamiatul Quresh said, “Anyway, the slaughter of cows and their progeny is prohibited. Our demand was to lift the ban on holding markets for livestock permitted for slaughter.”tnn