The newly elected BJP government in West Bengal has introduced stricter rules on animal slaughter across the state. Under the new notification, cattle and buffalo slaughter will not be allowed without official approval and a veterinary fitness certificate.
According to the government notice issued on May 13, cows, bulls, bullocks, calves, and male and female buffaloes cannot be slaughtered unless certified fit by authorized officials and a government veterinarian. Violators may face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.
The notification states that slaughter permission will only be granted if the animal is over 14 years old and no longer fit for breeding or work. Animals permanently disabled due to serious injury, deformity, or incurable disease may also qualify for certification.
The government has also banned slaughter in public places. Approved animals can only be slaughtered at municipal slaughterhouses or facilities designated by local authorities.
Municipal chairpersons, panchayat leaders, and authorized officials have been given the power to inspect slaughterhouses and related establishments to ensure compliance. Obstructing inspections will also be treated as an offence.
Officials said the move is aimed at enforcing the existing West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, and related court directives. The issue has already sparked political debate in the state following the BJP’s recent electoral victory over Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.
Reports indicate the new BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has started implementing several administrative changes soon after taking office
