Power to shut down slaughter houses with the Centre, says UP

Attacked over slaughtering of cows in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday sought to put the onus on the Centre, saying it is the licencing authority of slaughter houses and if it passes the order for their closure the state government will ensure implementation.

The issue was raised in the state Assembly during Question Hour by BJP MLA Satish Mahana, who alleged that UP government was "insensitive" in dealing with illegal slaughter of cow and other animals and "several organised gang were operating in the illegal trade".

Replying to him, Animal Husbandry Minister Rajkishore Singh said,"Our government is serious in dealing with illegal slaughter. In the past few months 2,032 FIRs were registered, 3,512 persons were named and 22,514 animals were rescued by separate teams of the department.

"The licencing authority of slaughter houses is Centre... There is your Prime Minister. If he passed order for their closure, I will ensure its implementation in the state," he said.
Later, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mohd Azam Khan too joined Singh demanding immediate ban on export of meat from the country.

"You talked about Pink revolution. Why export of meat outside the country is not banned yet. You should ban the export. All these slaughter houses will close down," Khan said. "Meat of cow is available in Five Star hotels. It should be banned everywhere," he claimed.

Singh also attacked the BJP MLA saying, "The manner in which the member was describing the modus operandi of the gang, it seems that it was their (BJP) gang which is involved in slaughter."

Dissatisfied with the answer, BJP members barged into the well demanding a "proper" answer by the minister.