The Maharashtra state government has announced stringent measures to curb illegal cattle transportation, unlawful slaughter, and unauthorised slaughterhouses. The Home Department has directed police to invoke provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against individuals, gangs, or organizations repeatedly involved in organized cattle smuggling in violation of existing laws. Police have been instructed to conduct thorough investigations into such cases.
Closure of Unauthorised Slaughterhouses
All municipal corporations, municipal councils, zilla parishads, and gram panchayats are mandated to identify and shut down unauthorised and unlicensed slaughterhouses within their jurisdictions and initiate legal action against them.
Joint Checkposts at Borders
To prevent illegal transportation of cattle from other states into Maharashtra, joint checkposts will be established in border areas under the supervision of district collectors. These checkposts will comprise personnel from police, transport, local self-government bodies, and the Animal Husbandry Department.
Appointment of Nodal Officers
Separate nodal officers will be appointed in all offices of superintendents of police, police commissionerates, the animal husbandry department, and the transport department. Their contact numbers will be made available to citizens for reporting violations.
Citizen Complaints and Vehicle Inspections
Citizens can lodge complaints on the helpline number 112, and the police machinery is required to take immediate action. The transport department will conduct regular inspections of suspicious vehicles, and strict action will be taken against offending vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Temporary Slaughterhouses for Religious Purposes
As per the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, temporary slaughterhouses for religious purposes can be set up after obtaining written permission. It will be mandatory for the licence holder to follow rules regarding sanitation, bio-medical waste management, and public health.
Role of District Collectors
District collectors will be primarily responsible for enforcing these orders. Officers have also been directed to conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance.
