PIL seeking modern slaughter houses
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 16: Expressing displeasure over the non-start of the modern and hygienic slaughter houses in Jammu city, Division Bench of the State High Court comprising First Puisne Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sindhu Sharma today directed the Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department to file an affidavit regarding release of the funds.
The direction was passed in a PIL filed by the NGO SAVE (Save Animals Value Environment) through its Chairperson Devinder Kour Madaan alias Rumpy Madaan seeking closure of unregulated/unregistered/unlicensed slaughter houses/meat shops in the State of J&K.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan, Intakhab Qazi and Mohd Zulkarnain Chowdhary appearing for the petitioner whereas Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for Housing and Urban Development Department, Advocate Sachin Gupta appearing for JMC and Government Advocate Ajyaz Lone for Pollution Control Board, the Division Bench observed, “a perusal of order dated March 5, 2019 shows that this court was informed that the slaughter houses in Jammu were expected to be completed by March 31, 2019. Practically nothing has been done till date”.
“Apparent reason is non-release of the funds by the State. This pertains to slaughter houses in Jammu only. For Srinagar also project is still not complete”, the DB further observed, adding “there is no latest position available on record with regard to the slaughter houses in other districts in the State”.
“We were informed that the slaughter houses which were operational unauthorizedly and working in unhygienic conditions have been closed with intervention of the State Pollution Control Board. But, the slaughter houses at present are operating unauthorizedly”, the DB said.
On this, Advocate S S Ahmed submitted that the Central Government has already released Rs 1.5 crore in favour of JMC for establishing modern/hygienic slaughter houses at Gujjar Nagar and Dogra Hall Jammu and rest of the cost for modernization is to be borne by the State Government but the same is yet to be released.
The DB expressed displeasure over the lackadaisical approach of the Housing and Urban Development Department in releasing the State’s share of funds and running of unauthorized slaughter houses in the State.
At this stage, Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for Housing and Urban Development Department sought time to apprise the court regarding release of funds for construction of modern hygienic slaughter houses in the State.
After considering the submissions of both the sides, DB directed Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department to file his affidavit by or before May 22, 2019 with regard to the release of funds for construction of modern slaughter houses in the State.
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