Issue new licenses to UP abattoirs: HC

Providing some relief to meat traders in the state, a Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to issue new licenses and renew old ones for slaughterhouses and meat shops by July 17 to ensure all abattoirs function legally.

"The state can neither change the eating habits of the people, nor can it stop them from eating non-vegetarian food. Every individual has the right to eat what they desire," the court maintained.

The court expressed concern over the state government's decision to not renew licenses that expired on March 31. "It is the duty of the state government to renew licenses. The process has to be completed by July 17 so that they can open their shops legally," the bench ordered.

BK Singh, the petitioner's counsel, alleged that the state government has taken repressive measures to ensure closure of abattoirs. The court ordered the government to construct modern slaughterhouses at the earliest as per the Supreme Court directive, and inform the court about its progress on July 17.

CM Adityanath imposed a blanket ban on all illegal slaughterhouses in the state soon after coming to power.

The UP government had asked for the closure of illegal slaughterhouses in view of overall public order and health of the general public.

After the government announcement, slaughterhouse owners and meat sellers across the state shut their shops which was closely followed by an indefinite strike call by different associations.