UP forced to turn veg as meat sellers go on strike

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 27

At least seven licensed slaughterhouses have been closed down in Meerut alone, putting a question mark on the Uttar Pradesh Government’s claim that only unlicensed ones were being targeted.

Dr Mohd Nasir Khan, president, Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Sangthan, claimed authorities were finding technical fault to clamp down even on licensed slaughterhouses.

Khan said the state government should put an embargo on its decision to close down unlicensed slaughterhouses till March 11, 2018. This grace period should be provided to licensed/unlicensed buffalo meat, mutton, chicken and fish traders, wholesalers and factory owners to get their licences and documentation in order.

“When the Centre wanted people to buy set top boxes, they gave sufficient time and made huge investment in advertisement over television, radio and print to make people aware. The state government should similarly publicise the need for licences so that small traders are not made to suffer in the absence of proper information”, said Khan.

Till the exercise of getting licences is not fully implemented, the existing shops should be allowed to remain open so that livelihood of millions was not affected, said Khan.

In Lucknow alone, the livelihood of an estimated 2 lakh people is under threat due to the closure and subsequent indefinite strike of meat-sellers engaged in the sale of buffalo/goat/chicken and fish as well as restaurants dealing with non-vegetarian food.

He also wanted the government to use the time to speedily build slaughterhouses as per the standards prescribed by the court orders.

Meanwhile, the indefinite strike of meat-sellers in Lucknow spread across the state. While buffalo meat-sellers had resorted to the strike to protest the crackdown on slaughterhouses, the others have joined in solidarity.

Defending the state government’s decision, state health minister Siddhartha Nath Singh claimed only illegal slaughterhouses had been closed. He said he had directed officials to exercise restraint and not overstep their jurisdiction in their over enthusiasm.

Illustrating his point, he said: “One of the norms mentioned in the licence is installation of CCTV cameras in 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.”

The seven licensed slaughterhouses closed down in Meerut include Al Yasir of Haji Rashid, Al Aqsa of Haji Sajid, Al Aliya of Haji Ijlal, Al Kaif Industries of Haji Afzal and Universal Agro India of Haji Aas Mohd.