The Delhi High Court has criticised the animal husbandry unit of the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi for lacking the will to stop the rampant violation of laws by dairy owners in the capital’s nine dairy colonies, The Hindu newspaper reported. The court said the violations not only affect public health, but are also “wrapped in extreme cruelty” to the animals kept there.
Last year, a commissioner appointed by the court to inspect the nine colonies found violations of several norms. The units were operating in poor hygiene in areas with overflowing open drains, the holding areas were overcrowded with little space for the cattle to move, and many animals were found to be in poor health.
According to the newspaper, counsel for the petitioner showed the court photographs dated May 26 of the Bhalswa dairy colony, which showed cattle grazing at the base of a sanitary landfill and eating garbage. “The Delhi government has decided to turn a blind eye to the horrific conditions in these dairy colonies,” the petitioner’s counsel told the court.
The court remarked that the animal husbandry unit had not only failed in its primary function of granting and regulating licences to these dairies, but had also not provided for functional veterinary hospitals in the area, the newspaper reported.
“The state’s lack of will to shift the Ghazipur and Bhalswa dairy colonies to an alternative site despite the presence of sanitary landfills shows that decisions are being taken for considerations not relevant and germane to public health,” the court said.
The hearing continues next month. The court has made the Drugs Controller General of India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs party to the case.
