Delhi High Court Raps Authorities Over Impure Milk Supply, Demands Action Against Cattle Welfare Neglect

The Delhi High Court has reprimanded the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for their failure to ensure the supply of pure milk in the capital and curb the use of fake hormones in cattle. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, criticized government officials for neglecting guidelines related to cleanliness and hygiene in dairies across the city.

Directing the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report on all dairies holding mandatory licenses and plans to prevent the consumption of cattle waste, the court sought information on measures to prevent milk contamination near landfill sites in Ghazipur and Bhalswa. Additionally, the government was instructed to issue guidelines for the Madanpur Khadar Dairy to ensure compliance with legal frameworks, with the dairy serving as a pilot project.

The bench ordered the FSSAI to increase testing of milk and other dairy products from facilities near landfill sites and adjourned the case hearing until May 27. Expressing dissatisfaction with officials’ lack of ground-level insight, the bench urged the Chief Secretary to personally visit dairies to gather feedback, emphasizing the importance of officials’ presence in affected areas.

Furthermore, the court expressed dismay over discrepancies in cattle population figures, noting discrepancies between Delhi government data indicating around 30,000 cattle in nine dairy colonies and a report from the Central government’s Animal Husbandry Department suggesting a figure exceeding three lakh.

The bench denounced the administration’s negligence, particularly regarding the cattle’s exposure to hazardous waste near landfill sites. It highlighted the cruelty of confining cattle to upper floors without proper care, amid garbage and excrement, and criticized the prevalence of oxytocin, a banned drug, in dairy colonies. The court demanded accountability from government officials, questioning their efficacy and reminding them of their duty to uphold standards of public health and animal welfare.

The High Court’s stern stance underscores the gravity of the situation and emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive action to address hygiene and safety concerns in Delhi’s dairy industry. As the court’s directives signal a proactive approach towards resolving these issues, stakeholders are expected to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the well-being of both consumers and animals.

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