Action only against illegal abattoirs, officials shouldn't be overenthusiastic: U.P. govt

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday cleared the confusion over its action against slaughter houses in the State, saying it was acting only against illegal abattoirs.

“We are acting only against illegal abattoirs. Licenced slaughter houses are requested to stick to the norms,” Health Minister Siddhartha Nath Singh told reporters here.

“The licenced slaughter houses 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,” he clarified.

Mr. Singh directed the officials that they should neither act in overenthusiasm nor overstep their jurisdiction.

Citing an instance, he said, “One of the norms mentioned in the licence is installation of CCTV cameras on the premises of the slaughter house. If this norm is not complied with, then instead of ordering the closure of the slaughter house, 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 (NGT) had insisted on closure of illegal slaughter houses, he said, “iN 2015, the NGT observed that illegal slaughter houses are a concern for the environment, while insisting on their closure. However, the previous government did not do anything to ensure their closure.”

Meat sellers across the State on Monday went on a strike against the crackdown on illegal and mechanised slaughterhouses.