September 25, 2018:
On Monday, The Delhi High Court ordered a ban on chicken slaughter at the Ghazipur poultry market citing pollution and violation of rules in the area. The court ordered the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board to shut down 'Poultry Slaughter Houses' in the area within a week but allowed the sale of live birds.
Bench comprising of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice VK Rao was hearing a PIL that alleged that the poultry birds are being sold and slaughtered illegally at the market in East Delhi.
The ban follows the failure of the Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board to comply with a August 31 court order that directed the shutting down of poultry slaughter houses that were not approved by the Pollution Panel.
The Court ordered the authorities to submit a compliance report within a week and demanded a plan for a 'Designated Slaughter House' in the area.
HC expounded, "Taking note of the circumstances and the inaction of the authorities, we have no option but to direct that in the Ghazipur Murga Mandi, no slaughtering of birds will be permitted henceforth,"
The Bench also took cognizance of the 'Delhi Pollution Control Committee' report based on an inspection on April 24 that recommended a closure of the slaughterhouses while citing several violations.
The judges rejected an argument against the ban from the traders who claimed it would affect their livelihood.
The Bench concluded,"Let the traders deal with the statutory authorities, no sympathy with all these things. We are concerned with the larger issue of pollution in the area."
Source: PTI
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