Thane: The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has come under fire from political parties and community groups after issuing a directive to shut down all shops selling chicken, mutton, and fish, as well as slaughterhouses, on Independence Day (August 15).
In response to the directive, several political parties, members of the Khatik community, and meat shop owners submitted a memorandum demanding the revocation of the order.
Commissioner Says No New Order Issued
KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal addressed a press conference on Wednesday, stating that the directive was not new and has been in effect since 1988. He clarified that the civic body has been following an old resolution, reissued annually, mandating closure of meat-related establishments on day.
Restriction Applies Only to Licensed Outlets
“We have not issued any new order. This has been a continuing practice under the Corporation Act,” said Goyal. He emphasized that the restriction applies only to slaughterhouses and licensed meat shops, while consumption of chicken and mutton remains unaffected.
Goyal confirmed that KDMC has received memorandums and letters requesting withdrawal of the order, and assured that the administration would consider the appeal.
“If any changes are to be made, they will be done in accordance with legal provisions and after proper deliberation,” he added.
Other Cities Follow Similar Practice
The commissioner also noted that other municipal corporations—including those in Nagpur, Malegaon, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Jalgaon, and Ichalkaranji—have enforced similar closure directives over the years. KDMC reportedly has copies of similar orders issued in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Licensing), Kanchan Gaikwad, explained earlier that the closure directive is part of a previously passed civic resolution that mandates a ban on meat sales on certain designated days.
Political Parties Submit Memorandums
The directive, however, sparked strong political backlash:
Workers and office bearers of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) from Kalyan submitted a memorandum to the KDMC Deputy Commissioner. They threatened to consume non-vegetarian food at the KDMC headquarters in protest if the order is not withdrawn.
Sachin Pote leader Congress alongwith workers submitted letter to KDMC officer | File Photo
Congress leader Sachin Pote, along with party workers, submitted a similar memorandum. “If the order is not revoked, we will sell chicken in front of KDMC headquarters and even release a chicken van there,” he warned.
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Violations to Face Strict Action
According to the KDMC’s official notification, all legal and illegal meat-selling shops and slaughterhouses are to remain closed from midnight of August 14 to midnight of August 15, as per provisions under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.
Violations will attract strict action under Sections 334, 336, and 374(A) of the Act, the KDMC stated.
