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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) recently approved a new meat shop policy as part of a series of 54 resolutions passed by the House. This policy has garnered strong opposition from meat traders, who have threatened legal action if it is not rescinded.
Under the new policy, there is a minimum requirement of 150 meters between a meat shop and a religious place or cremation ground. However, the distance to a religious place will not be considered if it was established after the meat shop received its license. The policy permits meat shops selling approved species near a mosque, excluding pork, if the applicant obtains a ‘no objection certificate’ from the mosque committee or imam.
The policy, applicable to the MCD jurisdiction governed by the Aam Aadmi Party, will come into effect after the Department of Veterinary Services issues a notification. The fees for issuing and renewing licenses for meat shops are set at ₹18,000 for shops and ₹1.5 lakh for processing units across the former north, south, and east corporations. Furthermore, the fees and penalties will increase by 15 percent every three financial years from the license issuance date.
According to the Delhi Master Plan 2021, meat shops in residential areas must have a minimum size of 20 square meters, with no size restrictions in commercial areas. Meat processing plants must adhere to a mandatory minimum size of 150 square meters.
Meat traders are opposed to the policy, citing concerns of potential corruption. They argue that illegal shop owners, who might struggle to pay ₹2,700, will be unlikely to pay the increased renewal charges of ₹7,000, potentially leading to revenue losses for the MCD and increased corruption. The Delhi Meat Merchants Association has stated that they will take the matter to court if the policy is not revoked and has threatened to stage a demonstration at the MCD offices.
