Maharashtra : 144 illegal slaughterhouses to be closed

Phalgun Shuklapaksha 10, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

Mumbai : The state government has decided to come down heavily on illegal slaughterhouses. There are a total of 144 illegal slaughterhouses running across the state, which will be shut down. The announcement was made by state environment minister Ramdas Kadam on Monday.

Of the 144 slaughterhouses, 128 are small and 16 are big ones. “Instructions have been given to all the municipal corporations and municipal councils to take strict action against illegal slaughterhouses,” Mr Kadam said.

He said that so far there is no monitoring on slaughterhouses, which needs to be done by civic authorities. “This results in slaughtering of more than the permissible limit of animals. Similarly, the wastage is also being dumped at public places creating health problems,” the minister said.

Protesting against the alleged harassment from various right-wing groups while carrying cattle to the slaughterhouses, beef dealers association from across the state was on an indefinite strike from the first week of February. The strike was withdrawn only after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assured them full protection. The police was also directed not to allow anyone to take law and order into their hands.

Mr Kadam said that the small slaughterhouses have permission to slaughter only 10 animals per day but they exceed the limit by way more than what is permissible.

He said that the state government would strictly follow the directives passed by the Supreme Court in Laxmi Narayan Modi versus Government of India over functioning and monitoring of slaughterhouses.

Source : The Asian Age