(IN): Unlawful practices by butchers resented

[Guest guest]

*http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=apr1009/City4

 

Unlawful practices by butchers resented

*Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 9 – The norms of health and hygiene have been given a bye

by the butchers of the city with the Veterinary wing of the Guwahati

Municipal Corporation (GMC) seemingly maintaining a marked lax attitude

towards the butchers. The city is yet to get its own slaughter house for

regulated butchery to cater to the needs of its non-vegetarian population.

It needs mention here that a sizeable portion of the city population is

non-vegetarian.

 

Amaresh Kalita, a resident of Jalukbari, who buys mutton from the butchers,

alleged that although mutton costs higher than any other meat, the butchers

deceive the customers taking recourse to unlawful practices. They also

mislead the customers on the age, sex, wholesomeness, etc. of the meat they

sell. Their only concern is to earn more.

 

“The meat market in the city is awfully unhygienic, as, the butchers are

generally averse to complying with the rules and regulations concerning

hygienic slaughter practices. The fowl market in the city is even nastier

with the vendors flagrantly refusing to abide by any rule for maintaining

hygiene,” Kalita rued.

 

Another customer, who bought mutton at a cost of Rs 220 per kg from the

Jalukbari Satmile Market, said that he was not aware as to whether the

mutton he had procured was processed as per the set hygienic norms.

 

Senior veterinary officer of the GMC and former general manager of Assam

Live Stock and Poultry Corporation, Dr Arun Sarma said that he took over the

charge of the GMC Veterinary Department about three months back and he has

to concentrate on various aspects like inspection of the quality of meat,

fish, milk, vegetables and fruits in the city markets. On top of all these,

the Department has to look for the shelters of the stray dogs and cattle.

 

Moreover, the Department has to grant licenses and collect revenues from the

traders to fulfill the assigned target of the civic body earning. The

Municipal Corporation also holds meetings once in a week to verify the

condition of the markets, Sarma said.

 

The Bureau of Indian Standard has provided certain provisions to ensure good

quality and hygienic condition of meat and fish in the markets. It has also

laid down provision to encourage standard slaughter houses with glass

coverage. It has also called for steps to ensure that a meat vendor with

good health, free from any skin disease only is engaged in selling meat. But

there is a lack of awareness on the part of the sellers which is preventing

implementation of these set standards, said Sarma.

 

Dr Sharma claimed that the inspectors and the supervisors of the Department

used to inspect the markets on a regular basis while the market committees

are to ensure hygienic condition in their markets. On occasions, help of

Magistrates and the Police is also taken to examine the condition of the

markets thoroughly.

 

“It is very difficult to make the sellers aware of the importance of

maintaining hygienic condition, as most of them are illiterate. The

Department hence has to confine itself to simply realizing the fines from

them for violation of the rules and regulations,” he said, adding, the

buyers should also start resisting sale of meat and fish in unhygienic

condition.

--

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui