60% meat shops in Gujarat running without license: Gujarat HC

AHMEDABAD, Gujarat: Gujarat High Court on Monday, January 16, slammed the Government of Gujarat for not taking action against meat shops and slaughterhouses running without licenses in Gujarat.

Gujarat High Court summoned the Principal Secretary, Food Safety Commissioner and Department of Urban Development and commented that the state administration is not taking action against these meat shops and slaughterhouses that are sluggish in nature. Therefore, they must inform the court of what punitive action they have been taking against these unlicensed shops.

When the state government failed to inform how many of the illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses, out of 2,602 have been closed, the High Court directed the government to take stringent action. Apex court in the state raised the question after a survey conducted by the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) showed that out of a total of 4,323 meat shops in the state, nearly 60 per cent are running without a license.

The report also disclosed that in 33 districts, only 655 shops or roughly 15 per cent of shops, sell stamped meat, while 2,507 shops did not follow the hygiene norms. The affidavit submitted by the Food Safety Commissioner also said that 2,602 were selling the meat in unhygienic conditions, and prosecutions have been launched against 1,108 shopkeepers. Additionally, legal actions are also being pursued against 1,160 shops selling unstamped meat.

The state government also assured that they have asked the local authorities to take strict action against the violators of the norms as per the provisions of the Gujarat Municipalities Act and Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation Act.

The HC bench consisting of Chief Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri commented government’s actions were restricted to forwarding letters only that do not serve the purpose when the health of the people is at stake. The court has asked the authorities to submit an affidavit by January 30, explaining what action these authorities have taken against these illegally running meat shops.

It has been observed by the court that district-level committees which were formed to oversee the functioning of the slaughterhouses and food shops appear to be lacking in the fulfilment of their designated duties. Chief Justice also asked the state government why they are hesitant in taking action against these meat shops running without a license. The HC noted, “This soft-peddling attitude on the part of the state is not acceptable. More reasonable steps are expected from a welfare state.”