No functional slaughterhouse in Guntur, animals being illegally cut on the streets

Guntur: In what could be called a grave threat to public health, it has come to light that Guntur city, with a population of over 8 lakh, has no functional slaughter house. The meat sold by retail vendors is unchecked and expected to be hazardous. The hundreds of non-vegetarian hotels in the city also depend on the 'unauthorised' and 'unchecked' stock being supplied by the vendors.
The failure of successive governments and governing councils at Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has pushed the city into a potential health hazard with regard to sale of hygienic meat. The lone slaughter house, located in Bongaralabeedu centre, was closed down a few months back after being denied permission by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

In fact, the NGT directed the civic body to shut down the slaughter house almost three years ago following a petition filed by an animal protection group.

In the absence of a right alternative, successive commissioners are said to have continued the operations at the slaughter house in violation of the NGT's directive.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists approached the High Court and complained about the continued slaughtering of animals in the banned place. The slaughter house was finally closed down after Ch Anuradha took over the reins of the civic body some time ago. Taking note of the delay in closure of the slaughter house, the HC moved a contempt of the court petition against civic body authorities at the recent hearing of the case.
The civic body is now in a piquant situation, as it can neither open the old slaughter house nor construct a new one overnight. GMC authorities are left with no option but to allow meat vendors to cut the animals literally on the streets. "We regularly visit the stalls to check the quality of the meat. We also check the animals before they are slaughtered," said a senior health official of the GMC. Sources, however, said it is physically impossible for the staff to visit all the meat stalls as GMC has just two sanitary supervisors and one veterinary doctor.
The absence of proper verification by health wing officials can only help meat vendors to cut all kinds of animals — both the healthy ones, and also the ones suffering from some ailment. As per rules, no disease-infected animal should be cut and put up for sale for public consumption. "Meat vendors cut the animals even without knowing their health condition. That's why certification by a health wing official is a must," said a senior GMC official.
According to information, more than 400-500 vendors sell sheep meat in the city.

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