[Inhumane cattle transportation] Meghalaya High Court asks State to set up regime for better treatment of animals

The Meghalaya High Court has asked the State of Meghalaya to put in place proper mechanism and regime to ensure better treatment of animals, particularly those transported or brought to market places and the manner in which they are culled to ensure humane and hygienic conditions are maintained [Gau Gyan Foundation v. Union of India & Ors.]..A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh observed that the State had not set up any mechanism in place as stipulated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules of 2017. “It is imperative that a regime be set up in the State to ensure better treatment of animals, particularly those that are transported, those that are brought to any market-place, the manner in which the animals are culled and to ensure humane and hygienic conditions at all stages and places,” the Bench said..The Bench was approached with a public interest litigation which pertained to the treatment of all animals, including those which are bred only for human consumption.The petition stated that they had received many complaints from local people that large syndicates, transport cattle from States like Bihar, Rajasthan to market in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya where the cattle is kept temporarily before being transported to Indo-Bangladesh border from where it is smuggled out.All of this, the Foundation emphasized was done in extreme cruel conditions..The Rules require constitution of district animal market monitoring committees, registration of existing animal markets, procedure for establishment of new animal markets and functions of the committee.The essential functions include ensuring aspects such as housing, shade, feeding troughs, water tanks, lighting, ramps, veterinary facilities, toilets, provision for disposal of dead animals, provision for ensuring hygiene and removal of manure and bio-waste and separate enclosures for different animals are covered..The State is not able to indicate immediately as to whether any steps have been taken in terms of Rule 2017, the Court observed while expressing hope that an appropriate mechanism is put in place as expeditiously as possible.The Court also asked the State to ensure the following aspects get administrative attention:more hygienic conditions are followed by meat-sellers (whatever kind of meat they may be selling)meat shops openly displaying torn parts of animals (which is often hideous to look at)roadside selling of meat products without the meat kept in any enclosure despite cooler temperature in most parts of State, the same may not be ideal or advisable..The Bench sought an affidavit to indicate the steps taken under Rules 2017 and measures taken in consonance with the Act 1960 and a clear timeline for compliance of Rules..Advocates Vinay Shraff, R Dutta, Raju Gupta and Mukesh Gupta appeared for the Foundation.Additional Advocate General ND Chullai with Government Pleader S Laloo appeared for State.Additional Solicitor General Dr N Mozika with Advocates S Rumthao and L Khyriem appeared for the Union.[Read Order]