On the 11th day of the budget session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday announced that strict action will be taken against the open sale of meat on the roadsides across the state. He said only licensed vendors would be allowed to sell meat and violators would face legal action.
Addressing the Assembly, Sinha said the move was aimed at maintaining public hygiene and prevent any hurt to people’s sentiments.
Sinha, who also holds the Urban Development portfolio, said he recently visited Darbhanga, where residents raised concerns during a Land Reforms and Public Welfare Dialogue about the illegal open sale of meat in municipal areas. According to him, people complained that such practices were causing inconvenience and obstructing movement.
Following the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister said he directed the district and municipal administrations to ban such illegal sales. He noted that obtaining a license under Section 345(1) is mandatory for meat-vendors and that the rules aimed to ensure clean public health conditions.
He informed the House that authorities had been instructed to review existing licenses, relocate valid license-holders to designated shelter areas, and take action against illegal operators. The crackdown has already begun in several areas, including Darbhanga, and will be strictly enforced across the state in the coming days.
Under the new enforcement drive, vendors must obtain licenses to sell meat, keep shops covered with glass or curtains, and avoid operating near schools, colleges or religious places. Violations under Section 345(1) will attract a fine of Rs 5,000.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh welcomed the decision, stating that the slaughter and sale of meat on open streets should be banned. He said the state government’s move was a positive step from both cleanliness and pollution control perspectives.
Although the open sale of meat is already banned under existing laws in Bihar, authorities said the practice continued in many areas, often without proper licenses.
Follow us
