KOLKATA | May 15, 2026
In one of its first major administrative moves, the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government in West Bengal has issued a modified public notice under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. The directive aims to end unregulated slaughter and curb illegal cattle smuggling across the state.
The New Regulations:
- Mandatory Certification: No cattle or buffalo can be slaughtered without a “fitness certificate” declaring the animal fit for slaughter.
- Joint Authority: The certificate must be signed jointly by a Government Veterinary Officer and the Chairperson of the Municipality (or President of the Panchayat Samiti).
- Eligibility Criteria: Certificates will only be issued if the animal is over 14 years of age and unfit for work/breeding, or is permanently incapacitated due to injury or deformity.
- Ban on Public Slaughter: Animal slaughter is strictly prohibited in open public spaces. It must only occur at municipal or government-designated slaughterhouses.
Legal Consequences:
Violators of these provisions face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of ₹1,000, or both. All offenses under this Act are now classified as cognizable.
