Strict punishment in Punjab for selling unwholesome meat after Eid
LAHORE: Strict regulations and enhanced punishments await meat sellers found selling meat of sick, underage and female animals in Punjab soon after Eidul Azha.
Those found selling meat of animals considered haram (prohibited) in Islam will also be taken to task under the Punjab Animals Slaughter Control Act 1963 which the government intends to amend because of its outdated punishments like just one-month imprisonment or fine up to Rs200.
The provincial government has already banned slaughtering of female animals to ensure breeding of sheep, goat, cows and buffaloes.
According to details available with Dawn, the law is being amended to provide for a system of more effective regulation, monitoring and control of slaughtering of animals and their sale.
Sellers of sick, dead animals meat to face eight years jail, Rs0.5m fine
The amendments will make slaughtering of female goat, sheep and calf under certain ages illegal. It will disallow sale of meat of sick, dead or haram animals. Unstamped meat will also be considered illegal.
They will also make it mandatory for those dealing in or processing skins and hides of dead or haram animals to keep a record of their procurements and supplies and allow inspection of the record. The amendments will make violation of the law non-bailable offence.
Those found selling meat of a haram animal or of an animal which died of, or has suffered from, contagious diseases or has been poisoned to death, or died because of gunshot wound or electrocution will be awarded up to eight years imprisonment which shall not be less than four years, and fine up to Rs500,000 fine which shall not be less than Rs300,000.
Unstamped meat, and of underage or specified female animals will be liable to (on first conviction) up to six-month imprisonment which shall not be less than 15 days and with up to Rs100,000 fine which shall not be less than Rs25,000.
The second conviction will lead to up to one-year jail term which shall not be less than one month and with up to Rs200,000 fine which shall not be less than Rs100,000.
The third conviction would mean up to two years imprisonment which shall not be less than six months and with Rs500,000 fine which shall not be less than Rs200,000.
Curtsey:DAWN.COM , September 25th, 2015
|