The
Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has chanced upon a new means of income.
The health department of the corporation is on a mission to capture
cattle roaming on the streets and impound them so that they can be
auctioned off.

“It was only two months ago that we auctioned off
three buffaloes, adding Rs. 45,000 to the civic body’s exchequer,” said
Health Officer R.S. Gopakumar.

It was almost a month ago that an
unusual number of cattle started roaming on the city streets, causing
severe traffic disruption even on main roads. The corporation had formed
a dedicated squad a year ago to capture the stray cattle. The drive at
the time had earned the corporation around Rs. 80,000 in terms of fine
from owners who had let their cattle wander and also through auctioning
off the unclaimed ones.

The team has in its custody six oxen, one
cow, five calves and some goats at present. All cattle will be auctioned
48 hours after capture.

Those turning up claiming to be the
owners will have to produce documents of ownership, an attested letter
from the local councillor, proof of identity and a written affidavit
that they will not let their cattle wander in the future. This is
besides the fine they will have to pay to get the animals back.

The
Health Officer said the animals were rarely claimed and the corporation
could earn up to Rs. 5 lakh from the auction of cattle wandering the
streets at present.