- New rules mandate fitness certificates for all cattle slaughter.
- Animals must be over 14 or permanently disabled.
- Slaughter restricted to approved facilities, not public spaces.
- Violators face jail time, fines, and immediate arrest.
The West Bengal government has introduced stricter regulations governing animal slaughter, making it mandatory for individuals to secure an official fitness certificate before cattle or buffaloes can be slaughtered anywhere in the state. The fresh directive applies to cows, bulls, bullocks, calves, buffaloes, buffalo calves, and castrated buffaloes. Authorities said the move is aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal slaughter and tightening oversight of cattle trade operations.
New Certification Rules For Slaughter
Under the revised norms, no cattle may be slaughtered unless officials certify that the animal is fit for slaughter under conditions laid down by the state administration. The order states that slaughter will only be permitted if the animal is over 14 years old and no longer capable of being used for agricultural work or breeding purposes, as per a report on NDTV. Certification may also be granted if the animal has become permanently disabled because of age, injury, deformity, or an incurable disease.
The approval process requires joint authorization from the Chairman of a Municipality or the Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti along with a government veterinary surgeon. Officials issuing the certificate must record their reasons in writing.
If an application is rejected, the individual concerned can challenge the decision before the state government within 15 days.
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Slaughter Limited To Approved Facilities
The notification further specifies that slaughtered animals may only be processed at officially approved slaughterhouses run by municipalities or at facilities designated by local civic bodies. The government has explicitly prohibited slaughter in public or open spaces, reinforcing earlier restrictions intended to regulate animal trade and meat processing operations.
Officials emphasized that permission will only be granted when both the civic authority and the veterinary surgeon agree that the animal satisfies the legal criteria.
Jail Term & Fine For Violations
The state administration has also outlined penalties for anyone violating the directive. Offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of as much as Rs 1,000, or both. Authorities classified all offences under the order as cognizable, enabling police to take immediate action without requiring prior approval from a court.
The directive comes amid continuing political and administrative focus on illegal cattle slaughter, smuggling networks, and unauthorized cattle markets in the state.
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Crackdown On Illegal Trade & Slaughterhouses
The notification follows previous instructions issued to law enforcement agencies directing them to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward unlawful cattle slaughter and cattle smuggling operations.
State authorities reiterated that action would continue against illegal slaughterhouses, unauthorized cattle markets, and other unlawful activities linked to the trade. The government also stated that only licensed and legally compliant businesses involved in cattle trading and related activities would be permitted to operate without disruption.
