Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 20: High Court today admitted a PIL on rampant sale and transportation of rotten and unhygienic meat and other poultry products and sought response from the concerned authorities to the issues raised in the PIL.
The division bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal observed for taking the issues raised in the PIL to its logical end has in first instance sought the response from the administration at the helm of affairs within four days and directed listing of the matter again on August 25.
The PIL has been filed by a young lawyer-Mir Umar seeking urgent judicial intervention to curb the rampant sale and transportation of rotten, unhygienic, and unsafe meat, fish, and poultry products in the Valley.
The court has been apprised that rotten and unfit-for-consumption meat, poultry, and fish products are finding their way into the markets of Kashmir, allegedly without undergoing mandatory veterinary health certification or public health inspection.
Seeking judicial intervention, the petition stresses that the issue touches upon the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and calls for strict enforcement of food safety laws and direction has been sought to immediately take measures to stop the sale, storage, distribution, and transportation of unsafe meat and poultry products.
“Establishment of a permanent inspection and monitoring mechanism at all entry points, slaughterhouses, and markets to ensure products are duly certified safe by competent veterinary authorities. Strict enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011”, reads the PIL
Advocate-Mir has filed the instant PIL keeping in view of repeated incidents in Kashmir where authorities have seized rotten and unhygienic meat being supplied to markets. Over the last few years, enforcement squads of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and other agencies have frequently intercepted trucks carrying meat allegedly unfit for human consumption.
During the proceedings of the case, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and granted the government short time to file its response. The Government advocate while causing appearance in the matter assured the bench that the administration would assist the court on the issue.
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