Patna: The Bihar government is set to impose stricter regulations on the sale of meat across the state, extending earlier restrictions that prohibited meat shops from operating near religious places.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also holds the Revenue and Land Reforms portfolio, said on Monday that the government is framing new rules to regulate meat sales more stringently. Under the proposed framework, only licensed and authorised vendors will be permitted to sell meat.
“New rules are being drafted and will be enforced strictly. Sale of meat in the open will not be allowed under any circumstances. Only those with proper authorisation will be allowed to carry out the trade,” Sinha told mediapersons.
He added that strict action would be taken against violators once the new norms come into effect.
The move comes after the state had earlier barred the sale of meat in the vicinity of religious sites, citing public order and compliance concerns.
In a similar measure, the Uttar Pradesh government in March last year banned the sale of meat within a 500-metre radius of religious places and directed district magistrates to ensure strict implementation of the order.
Officials in Bihar indicated that detailed guidelines, including licensing procedures and enforcement mechanisms, will be notified once the rules are finalised.
