Rotten Meat Issue Rocks Assembly; MLAs Seek Tough Action, Govt Admits Staff Shortage, Arrests not in Hands
Speaker tells Government to come with bill amend act, Tanvir Sadiq demands for separate force; Hasnain Masoodi, Tarigami, Mubarak Gull, says “Attach Properties of Culprits, Set Up Enforcement Wing at Lakhanpur, Bring Amendment Bill
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Feb 13 (KNC): The issue of sale of rotten and unsafe meat triggered heated exchanges in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday, with several MLAs demanding strict enforcement, stronger preventive measures and even attachment of properties of those involved in the illegal trade.
As per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, The matter was raised through Assembly Question Nos. 10, 94, 569 and 757 asked by MLAs Mubarak Gul, Mir Saifullah, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Hasnain Masoodi regarding “Food Adulteration and Sale of Rotten Meat.”
During the discussion, MLAs expressed serious concern over rising health issues and alleged that consumption of rotten food could be contributing to increasing cases of cancer and frequent outbreaks of diseases.
Mubarak Gul demanded that authorities must track down those involved in the illegal trade of rotten meat and attach their properties to send a strong message.
Farooq Ahmad Shah termed the menace “worse than drugs” and called for establishment of a dedicated enforcement wing at Lakhanpur. He also demanded that slaughter houses be set up in every Municipal Committee and sought a half-hour discussion in the House on the issue.
Other members stressed the need for strengthening manpower, improving enforcement and ensuring strict checking mechanisms to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Replying to the debate, Health Minister Sakina Itoo admitted that there is shortage of staff in the department and said there is “no denial” about the manpower deficiency. She informed the House that recruitment process has already been initiated to fill the vacant posts.
The Minister said the issue concerns public health and cannot be taken lightly. However, she clarified that under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Food Safety Officers are not empowered to arrest anyone.
She explained that Food Safety Officers can inspect premises, lift food samples, issue improvement notices, suspend or cancel licences, launch prosecutions and file complaints in courts, but arrests can only be made by police under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Speaker intervened and asked the Minister why the Government does not bring a Bill to amend the Act if stronger provisions are required.
National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq also stood up and suggested that the Government should consider bringing amendments and constitute a separate task force to deal with such cases, stating that police is not under the control of the House.
Earlier, in the written reply the Government informed the House that 12,183.5 kilograms of rotten/unsafe meat and chicken worth ₹29,19,060 were seized and destroyed during the current financial year 2025-26 (up to December 2025) across the Union Territory.
The Government stated that 1,676 inspections were conducted and 144 samples of meat and meat products were lifted. Of these, 18 samples were found Not of Standard Quality (NSQ).
A total of 2,139 kg of meat worth ₹3,90,137 was seized, while 12,183.5 kg rotten meat valued at ₹29,19,060 was destroyed.
District-wise Seizure of Rotten Meat & Chicken:
Anantnag – 700 kg (₹3,57,000)
Budgam – 234 kg (₹32,500)
Bandipora – 162 kg (₹8,500)
Baramulla – 125 kg (₹7,500)
Ganderbal – 770 kg (₹2,31,000)
Kupwara – 1,520.5 kg (₹5,10,000)
Pulwama – 450 kg (₹70,200)
Shopian – 121 kg (₹18,000)
Srinagar – 4,220 kg (₹7,59,600)
Jammu – 3,881 kg (₹9,24,760)
Total: 12,183.5 kg worth ₹29,19,060.
The Government also disclosed that 173 samples of Paneer were lifted, out of which 157 reports were received. Of these, 47 were found sub-standard and one unsafe.
Paneer seized/destroyed included 6,465 kg in Jammu worth ₹13,92,150 and 1,200 kg in Samba worth ₹2,40,000, totaling 7,665 kg valued at ₹16,32,150.
Samples were sent for testing within and outside J&K, including accredited laboratories in Kashmir, Ghaziabad, New Delhi and Hyderabad.
The Government further informed that two NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratories are functional in Jammu and Srinagar, besides 12 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories.
However, both Food Testing Laboratories are facing staff shortages. Out of 19 sanctioned posts each at FTL Jammu and FTL Srinagar, 11 posts are vacant in both laboratories.
The vacant posts will be referred to the J&K Services Selection Board after finalisation of recruitment rules with concurrence of the Finance Department. Meanwhile, outsourced staff are being engaged through funds provided by FSSAI under the Annual Work Plan.
The Government reiterated that enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act is a statutory mechanism involving inspection, sampling, adjudication and prosecution, and does not provide for routine registration of FIRs for every violation.
The issue remained a focal point in the House, with members across party lines demanding stronger action to safeguard public health. (KNC)
About The Author
