The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has shut down 150 illegal slaughterhouses in the past four and a half years as part of its ongoing mission to protect cows and stop its smuggling.
The UP government has also identified 356 cattle mafias while initiating legal action against 1,823 accused and confiscating assets worth more than Rs 18 crore of 68 smugglers booked under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, as per an official spokesman.
According to the Urban Development Department, 150 slaughterhouses with the capacity to slaughter 300, 400 and 500 animals daily have been closed in different districts for not complying with the prescribed standards. Currently, only 35 slaughterhouses, adhering to the prescribed standards, are operating in Uttar Pradesh.
The official statement said that after Yogi Adityanath took over as the chief minister of UP, things changed regarding operation and maintenance of slaughterhouses. The CM issued strict instructions for implementation of the Supreme Court’s order and the Central Government’s guidelines in this regard, the release added.
The latest data from the Police Department shows that 319 cow smugglers have been arrested in the last four and a half years while properties of two have been attached and 14 have been booked under the National Security Act.
Apart from this, 280 accused have been charged under Gangsters Act, 114 under Goonda Act whereas cases of 156 history sheeters have also been opened.Moreover, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath started an initiative for cow adoption to motivate farmers to come forward and adopt stray cattle and rear them. Under this scheme, interested farmers and livestock owners are given an allowance of Rs 900 per month to rear stray cattle.
As per the Department of Rural Development and Livestock, more than 83,203 cows have been given to more than 43,168 people in the state till July this year. A total of 5,278 permanent cow shelters have been built in the rural and urban areas of the state housing about 5,86,793 cows.
In view of the problems faced by government slaughterhouses and to improve their condition, the chief minister amended the Municipal Bodies Act in 2018, freeing municipal bodies from the responsibilities of building and running government slaughterhouses. With this amendment, anyone can run the slaughterhouse with the permission of the State Level Committee of the Urban Development Department.
