Slaughterhouses will not open: CM

Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said that the State Government will not give permission to open any slaughterhouse in Chhattisgarh.The authorities are duty-bound to protect cows, he said while meeting Rajnandgaon Member of Parliament Abhishekh Singh and some people's representatives here.He said that rumours are being spread by vested interests that the State Government is planning to open slaughterhouse at Rajnandgaon. There is not even an iota of truth in it.

The Chief Minister said that there is a ban on slaughter of cows in Chhattisgarh and he has also issued orders to the concerned Secretary that chicken processing centres should not be opened anywhere in the State.Chhattisgarh has banned slaughter of cows and other animals belonging to its family. The ban on slaughter applies to entire State and the all breed of cows of all age-groups. Any individual who tries defy the ban will be jailed for seven years  and a fine of `50,000 will be imposed or both.

Notably, the State Government has commenced the process for setting up a cow sanctuary in Jhalam village of Bemetara district.The government has also decided to open a ‘Gau Shala’ each of the 90 development blocks of the State.livestock Development Minister Brijmohan Agrawal had stated that land had already been identified for opening 22 Gau Shalas and allotted to Gau Seva Ayog.

Among the registered 'Gau Shalas', a total of 66 received grants totalling `13.88 crore during the past three financial years, Agrawal said.During 2012-13, a total of 52 Gau Shalas were offered grants, in 2013-14 (57 ) Gau Shalas and in 2014-15, a total of 50 Gau Shalas were offered grants, Agrawal said.