Getting meat from shops that are functioning illegally on certain government holidays such as Mahaveer Jayanthi, when they are supposed to be closed, will not be possible henceforth.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench has directed the Chennai Corporation to ensure that the meat shops in the city remain closed on these days, especially Vallalar Jayanthi, that falls on October 5.
The Bench, comprising Justice M. Chockalingam and expert member R. Nagendran, issued the directions while hearing a case filed by People for Cattle in India (PFCI) seeking a ban on illegal slaughter houses in the city and its outskirts.
The counsel for PFCI pointed out that on Mahaveer Jayanthi this year, over 55 meat shops were functioning, flouting a government order. It mandates closure of meat shops and slaughter houses on four days a year — Mahaveer Jayanthi, Mahaveer Nirvan day, Tiruvalluvar Day and Vallalar Jayanthi.
The Chennai Corporation came under fire from the Bench for allowing nearly 50 shops without licences to function in the city. The Corporation, in its report to the NGT, submitted that that there are a total of 1,616 meat shops in the city. This year, 421 unlicensed shops were issued with notices. Of these, 179 shops were granted licences and 133 shops were closed.
“These 50 shops, waiting for the licences, were open on Mahavir Jayanthi, despite all three government slaughter houses remaining shut. This shows that either illegal slaughtering of animals continues or old meat is being sold,” said G. Arun Prasanna, trustee of PFCI.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 12.
