Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam has banned the sale of raw meat during Navratri, Indian Express reported.
As per the orders, the ban will be in effect from April 2 to April 10, with officials claiming the meat ban during the festival is a routine order, states the report.
“It has been directed by the mayor to maintain cleanliness in temples, and to close meat shops during the period. It has been directed that cleanliness be maintained in respective zones, in temples and to ensure meat shops remain closed,” read the order. The order has been issued in five zones of the district.
Loni MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar had in the past issued several appeals to close meat shops during festivals. In the coming days, shops will remain shut in both urban and rural areas.
“The order is issued every year and the ban only exists during Navratri. The sale of raw meat will remain prohibited in these five zones. The communication has been given to all Nagar Nigam departments concerned,” Asha Sharma, the Ghaziabad Mayor, was quoted as saying in the report.
The report says that on Thursday, MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar wrote a letter to the district magistrate stating that several restaurants were selling meat in the open in his constituency. In the letter, he requested officials to ‘ensure action against such establishments to prevent any possible spread of disease.’