Haryana civic bodies told to shut illegal meat shops

Gurgaon: Directorate of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) has directed municipal corporations to launch a comprehensive drive to identify and shut down unauthorised meat shops operating within municipal limits, especially those functioning without licences and located near religious places. MCG officials, however, said they had already asked meat shop owners in the city to close their shops during Navratri, citing the "religious sentiments" of people. They said this is a routine exercise carried out every year ahead of the festival. "Our teams have already visited meat shops in markets and asked them to shut down considering religious sentiments. This is a regular exercise we do each year," said an MCG official. According to MCG, the city has 490 licensed meat shops. Online meat delivery platforms, however, continue to operate in the city. Meat sections in supermarkets are also functioning. In an order issued on Thursday, the department asked all municipal commissioners and commissioners of corporations to ensure strict enforcement against stores selling meat without valid licence from the competent authority.