Tamta asks CMOs to take action against illegal butcher shops

DEHRADUN: Joint commissioner (food) B R Tamta has asked chief medical officers (CMO) of different districts to take action against illegal slaughter houses in the state. A writ warning has been issued to the CMOs for failing to issue strict directives to butcher shops in the past. The action came after a letter was sent to the chief secretary by People for Animals (PFA) authorities alleging operation of illegal slaughter houses across the state. 

Gauri Maulekhi, member secretary, PFA, said, "Not a single slaughter house in the state follow norms which have been laid out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Meat is sold without checking if it is safe to consume. No veterinary doctors have been deputed at slaughter houses so far to undergo checks. Meat is also sold in the open. Moreover, the food department has issued a large number of unauthorized licenses. We brought these issues up with the chief secretary nearly two months back." 

S P Aggarwal, CMO, Dehradun, expressed ignorance over reports that licenses were issued in large numbers saying that the food safety wing is responsible for it. 

Maulekhi further said how basic facilities such as water supply, drainage systems, stun guns or incinerators remain absent in the shops. Checks on livestock are also not done to ensure if they are sick or pregnant before being butchered. Former chief secretary had directed the commissioner of Garhwal and Kumaon Mandal, district magistrates and the food safety commissioner to undergo inspection of slaughter houses at various parts of the state but little has been done so far. Similarly, directives to appoint veterinary doctors issued in all the municipal corporations have fallen on deaf ears.