Clearing confusion over its action against slaughterhouses in the State, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Monday it was acting only against illegal abattoirs.
“We are acting only against illegal abattoirs. Licensed slaughterhouses are requested to stick to the norms,” Health Minister Siddhartha Nath Singh told presspersons here.
“The licensed slaughterhouses should comply with the norms mentioned in the licence and need not fear,” he said.
“No orders have been issued to take any action against any shop selling chicken, fish or eggs. They need not fear.”
Balanced action
He directed the officials that they should not act in overenthusiasm nor they should overstep their jurisdiction.
Citing an instance, Mr. Singh said, “One of the norms mentioned in the licence is installation of CCTV cameras on the premises of the slaughterhouse. If this norm is not complied with, then instead of ordering the closure of the slaughterhouse, a notice may be issued to its owner, and he be instructed to take necessary remedial steps within a specific timeframe.”
Noting that the National Green Tribunal had insisted on closure of illegal slaughterhouses, he said, “The NGT had in 2015 observed that illegal slaughterhouses are a concern for the environment, while insisting on their closure.”
