After illegal toll shutdown, new Bengal government bans public slaughter of cows, makes fit certificate mandatory, details

After the immediate shutdown of all illegal toll gates and unauthorized drop gates, the West Bengal government, led by BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, has issued a modified public notice under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, tightening regulations on the slaughter of cattle and buffaloes across the state. The revised notification reiterates that no cattle or buffalo can be slaughtered without an official fitness certificate issued by competent authorities.

  

According to the notification, animals can only be slaughtered if they are certified as being over 14 years of age or permanently incapacitated due to injury, deformity, disease, or inability to work or breed. Local civic authorities and a government veterinary officer must jointly approve the certification.

 

The state government has also banned open or public slaughter of cattle and buffalo. Slaughter activities will now be permitted only at municipal slaughterhouses or facilities officially designated by local authorities. The move comes in line with earlier directions of the Calcutta High Court, which had ordered the state to prevent animal slaughter in public places.

 

 

Officials warned that violations of the law could attract punishment, including imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of Rs 1,000, or both. The government has also instructed police and district administrations to take strict action against illegal cattle trade, unauthorized slaughterhouses, and extortion rackets linked to the trade.