Srinagar: On the matter relating to entry and sale of rotten meat in to Kashmir, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Wednesday called for a roadmap for an everlasting solution to the menace of unsafe food in Jammu and Kashmir.
The court observed that people (referring to administration) “may be there who will do nothing” and asked the amicus curie to give it a road map to curb the menace.
It made the observation while hearing a petition in public interest seeking regulation of entry to check sale of unhygienic and rotten meat in Kashmir.
The amicus curie Jehangir Iqbal Ganie, informed the court that the official reply on the matter is “cosmetic and no solid endeavour has been shown by respondents”.
The court expressed its dismay over the government’s “tardy” approach to deal with sale, storage of unhygienic and unsafe meat and other food items in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier the court had issued notice to senior government functionaries after they were pleaded as party respondents apparently to achieve the desired tangible results with regard to the issues raised in the Public Interest Litigation.
The bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal today after hearing on the official response by the amicus curie, Ganie, observed “the people may be there who will do nothing”.
The bench asked Ganie to respond in writing and also give us a complete road map to curb the menace.
The additional advocate general submitted that “IGP Jammu and IGP Kashmir have issued to him a communication whereby they have stated that they will be conducting meetings with respective Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates to formulate flying squads to ensure complete ban on unsafe meat and other edibles”.
On this the amicus said “we appreciate the endeavours of the IGP hereby he has issued directions to police stations to take actions against sale of unhygienic meat and other products”.
The additional advocate general said “the response of the Municipal Commissioner suggests that since there are own health inspectors with municipality but they are unfortunately playing role of Khilaf Warzi Officers”.
The court directed the government counsel to ask the authorities to take strict actions come what may.
It further remarked “had officers of the concerned departments performed their duties there was no need for the petitioner to approach this court seeking such directions”.
It said the people of this place don’t deserve this kind of menace of unhygienic and unsafe food.
The amicus earlier also stressed that the government’s response was not sufficient.
He said the issue is serious and must be taken seriously. “There is an indispensable requirement for implementation of the Food Safety Act and Municipal Corporation Act for achieving the desired tangible results”, the Amicus said
Advocate Shafaqat Nazir representing the petitioner submitted that the government stated that testing reports are standard.
“But being standard is not enough, it must be safe,” he said. The authorities are silent over whether the reports are safe or unsafe, he added.
The PIL seeks to ensure that meat and poultry intended for Muslim consumers is compulsorily Halal-certified, and the meat processed through other methods (including Jhatka) is appropriately labelled, so that consumers are fully informed and able to exercise their choice.
According to the PIL, the recent discovery of large quantities of rotten meat in Kashmir has underscored the urgent need for a strict regulatory mechanism.
“Such incidents reveal serious lapses in quality control, hygiene standards, and supply chain monitoring,” it said.
