Fear, confusion as meat crisis looms Legal abattoirs hit as well, supplies dry up
CRACKDOWN Ghaziabad administration promises licences under updated norms, which require freezer, proper disposal of waste material and tinted glasses — all likely to push up cost
the district magistrate promising that licences as per updated operational guidelines will soon be issued to the meat shop owners, the meat prices are likely to see a spike.
The Ghaziabad district magistrate assured abattoirs that licences will be issued through a single-window facility at the municipal corporation and Nagar Palikas in the district.
There has been a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops since the new government under chief minister Yogi Adityanath took over in Uttar Pradesh.
In the crackdown, 152 slaughterhouses and meat shops were shut down. The district has no legal slaughterhouse for meeting local requirements.
“In this connection, we held a meeting with export units and asked them to provide the facility to meet local consumption. They have largely agreed to this. But they will not provide their livestock to meet the local requirement which is costly and meant for exports. In such a case, the local shopkeepers and businessmen will have to make arrangements for the transport of meat, which should have deepfreezer facility,” said Nidhi Kesarwani, district magistrate, Ghaziabad.
“The shopkeepers will have to follow the updated guidelines. For example, they have to set up freezer facilities, proper disposal of garbage and even tinted glasses at shops. For local sales, the shopkeepers will procure meat from units and bring it to their shops for retail sales. Road-
THE MEN WHO RUN THE ABATTOIRS ARE HOPEFUL SITUATION WILL IMPROVE SOON
side and open slaughtering will not be permitted at any cost,” she added.
The updated guidelines and transportation are likely to increase the cost of procuring meat for retailers and in turn will affect the consumers.
“One’s health is of prime importance. Even if updated guidelines come at a cost and an increase in prices, the system is welcome. However, this will also affect the small meat shop owners, who may not have funds to follow the guidelines. Even the lower strata of society will feel the impact if there is a rise in prices,” said Sudeepta Pal, resident of Windor Park, Indirapuram.
However, residents feel that quality meat procured from clean slaughterhouses would ensure that customer will get access to safe food.
“Currently, one would be surprised to know how meat processing was done in the open amid utterly unhygienic conditions. The shopkeepers hardly paid any attention to filthy surroundings and the type of livestock they procured for selling. There has to be a change now. The government is just enforcing previous guidelines and it is for better,” said Mohsin Alvi, a resident of Islam Nagar.
Many shopkeepers procure chicken from the Ghazipur Market. The abattoir operated by Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation had shut operations around four years back as residential localities sprung up nearby.
“We don’t support of roadside illegal shops. It is hardly known what quality of product they procure and what they sell to the customer. We are willing to put in place the updated guidelines and get the renewal of our licences which have not been renewed for the past couple of years. It may increase the cost of meat but customers will be assured of getting the right supplies and we will not be harassed frequently,” said Yaad Ilahi Qureshi, a shop owner at Raj Nagar.
The legal slaughterhouses in Ghaziabad witnessed a major dip in operations in the last couple of days as transporters and suppliers have stopped supplying animals fearing attack from vigilante groups.
The men who run the abattoirs are, however, hopeful directions from the state government will improve the situation.
Those running the abattoirs informed officials that it has become difficult to bring in livestock and even transporters were not ready to transport consignments in the present situation.
“During meetings and visits to plants, they told us that production has suffered majorly. However, we assured them that things will improve,” said Gyanendra Singh, additional district magistrate, Ghaziabad.
However, the unit officials said the announcement by state government that they were not targeting licenced units was a welcome step. “Since the chief minister has said those having valid licences would not face problems, the situation will improve... However, the suppliers are afraid that vigilante groups may hamper transportation of livestock. Our production is barely 50% at present,” said Intekhab Alam, general manager, Eagle Continental Foods in Dasna.
“We hardly have 10-15% production. Our suppliers are scared and not taking risk as they hardly earn ₹100-500 per animal. They are being targeted on roads and animals are being caught,” said an official from another unit, requesting anonymity.
As per official figures, the four integrated slaughterhouses and meat processing units in Ghaziabad (all export-oriented) have a sanctioned capacity of 2,258 livestock (buffaloes) and another 200 goats per day. Apart from this, the district has presence of five food (meat) processing export units approved by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, with a sanctioned capacity of 527 metric tonnes per day.
Though closure of illegal abattoirs in UP was a promise of the BJP in the assembly polls, even the legal units are feeling the heat. The four slaughterhouses in Ghaziabad’s Dasna area deal in buffalo meat, which is primarily exported to Gulf countries.
Slaughtering and consuming buffalo meat is legal in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses and meat shops. The government has clarified that only illegal abattoirs would be targeted.
“So far, we have not targeted any vehicle as the government is acting against illegal slaughters. It is trying to enforce the norms which were not enforced due to appeasement politics,” said Pinki Chaudhary, president of Hindu Raksha Dal, an outfit against cow slaughter and smuggling.