The Haryana Government on Friday joined the BJP-ruled States like UP and Jharkhand, to launch a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops flouting the rules.
The Manohar lal Khattar Government imposed the ban on illegal slaughter of animals and sale of meat procured thereof, throughout the State from May 15.
Besides directing the meat shops to follow the municipal corporation (control on import of meat) bye-laws, 2008, the Government also issued 21-point guidelines related to meat sale. The State Government, which enforced cow slaughter in 2015, has now directed that meat would not be prepared in the shop and it would only be stored in a freezer. The guidelines also stated that meat shops would not be allowed to operate near religious and educational institutions.
Haryana Urban local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain on Friday said the Chief Minister had approved a proposal to this effect and directed the officers of urban local bodies to take action against the violators.
Notices would be issued to owners of shops selling meat after slaughtering animals in violation of the rules in all urban local bodies and rural areas from May 15, she said.
On May 15, ban would be imposed on illegal slaughter of animals and sale of meat procured thereof, throughout the State. Officers have been directed to strictly enforce this ban. It would be mandatory for owners of meat shops to furnish details regarding the source from where meat was purchased as well as the slaughter house, said the Minister.
Compliance of the 21-point guidelines issued by the department would be ensured by the officers, Jain added.
The State Government had earlier imposed a ban on meat during the Jain festival of Paryushan, which had caused a huge uproar across the country. The Government had also announced Mahavir Jayanti on April 9 every year as no-meat and no-liquor day.
The Government had in 2015 enforced Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act 2015 making cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.