The Allahabad High Court has sought replies from the Central Government and the Uttar Pradesh Government by May 3, on a PIL filed against the non-compliance of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in Uttar Pradesh and the operation of illegal meat shops and slaughterhouses in the state.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwakar and Justice SD Singh passed this order while hearing a PIL filed by Himanshu Mittal.
The petition said a large number of meat shops and slaughterhouses are being operated illegally in Ghaziabad.
In the PIL, the matter of violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Environment Protection Act 1986 and guidelines given by the Supreme Court have been raised.
The petition said there are about 3,000 and slaughterhouses in Ghaziabad, but only 17 have licenses. It has been said that only five licenses have been cancelled in 11 years.
The petition stated that cruelty to animals is being done on a permanent basis. There is a shortage of veterinarians in the state to take care of animals.