Despite appeal by MC commissioner, slaughtering of animals continues in open

Keeping the norms aside, slaughtering of animals is going on at road side areas and shops in illegally, as the authorities have failed to conduct proper checks.

Not only the slaughtering of animals is done in open, there is no check on the disposal of biological waste.

It is also pertinent to mention here that municipal corporation's (MC) project to upgrade its slaughter house is hanging in fire.

Under section 333 (2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act no place other that the MC Slaughter House can be used for slaughtering of animals, and illegal slaughtering is punishable under the act.

It is learnt that open slaughtering has been going unchecked near Pakhowal canal bridge, Buddha Nullah, Daba Road, near Shingar Cinema, Shimla Puri and Barewal among others, thus posing danger to the health of consumers.

In violation of the Slaughter House rules 2001, the shops have also failed to install any screen or black door to block the view for the public.

Rajguru Nagar Senior Citizens' Welfare Association vice-president KS Chawla said there was no check on illegal slaughtering in various areas.

Dhandari resident Rakesh Kumar said, “Illegal slaughtering is a common scene on roadsides here, but nobody pays attention. Even no sampling of meat is done. The civic body should implement the norms strictly, as the matter is concerned with the health of public.”

These sellers are not only polluting water bodies, but are also violating the Slaughter House Rules, 2001, which clearly states that an animal cannot be killed in front of another animal. It is also learnt that deep freezers are also not available at majority of the shops.

Earlier on January 14, MC commissioner GK Singh stated that it was the prime duty of the MC to ensure availability of hygienic and disease-free meat to city residents. He also appealed to the meat sellers to stop slaughtering of animals on their premises immediately and requested the residents to purchase stamped meat only.

Municipal corporation has set up a slaughter house at Dairy Complex, Haibowal and Hambran Road, but only few sellers follow the authorised way of slaughtering as per sources.

MC health officer Dr Charanjit Uppal said, “The open slaughtering of animals is illegal. We are conducting raids to check the illegal slaughter houses. A veterinary doctor examines these animals before slaughtering them at MC slaughtering house, and the waste is scientifically disposed of after slaughtering.”

On being asked, he said they had issued 152 challans from January 1-15, adding that they would conduct more checkings in different areas.

MC veterinary officer Dr YP Singh said they had no provision for slaughtering of chickens, adding that they had proposed to upgrade the slaughter house.

Chief of health and sanitation wing Amarjit Singh Sekhon could not be contacted.