Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath-helmed Uttar Pradesh government has ordered the closure of illegal slaughterhouses and a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places ahead of the commencement of nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival, reported PTI.
Special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned.
In a statement on Saturday, the state government said that Amrit Abhijat, principal secretary, Urban Development department, has directed all district magistrates, police commissioners and municipal commissioners to immediately close slaughterhouses and enforce ban on meat sale near religious places.
District-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of district magistrates to ensure strict adherence to the directive.
The state government has directed officials to take strict punitive action against violators under the provisions of UP Municipal Corporation Act 1959 and Food Safety Act 2006 and 2011.
Earlier in the day, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation decided to shut down all meat, fish and poultry shops within municipal limits of Varanasi throughout the Navratri festival.
Navratri, the nine-day Hindu festival, will commence on March 30.
