‘Rules flouted’: Varanasi vet dept tells meat shops ‘in 2-km radius of temple’ to shut down
Varanasi, Jan 12: The Veterinary Department on Saturday filed a police complaint against 26 meat and fish sellers located within a two-kilometer radius of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple here for violating norms.
The complaints were filed at Chetganj, Chowk, and Dashashwamedh police stations.
Varanasi Municipal Corporation public relations officer Sandeep Srivastava said the notices were issued to the meat and fish sellers who were operating their businesses in violation of the norms.
"... notices were sent to approximately 54-55 sellers around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple around a week ago. Sellers who have ignored these notices will now face legal action," he said.
According to Srivastava, sellers must obtain a licence from the Food department and there must be a separate designated space for slaughtering animals. Both conditions were overlooked by the meat shop owners, he claimed.
Veterinary Officer Dr Santosh Pal said complaints were filed against 22 meat vendors at Chetganj Police Station. Two complaints were filed at Dashashwamedh and Chowk police stations each.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
GRAP 3 curbs revoked in Delhi-NCR amid dip in air pollution levels
New Delhi, Jan 12: The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality on Sunday revoked Stage-III curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a dip in air pollution levels due to favourable meteorological conditions, according to an official order.
Light rainfall in and around Delhi triggered by a Western Disturbance -- weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and bring winter rain and snow to northwest India -- significantly improved the city's air quality.
The national capital's air quality index (AQI) stood at 278 at 4 PM on Sunday, 72 points below the 350-mark threshold for the implementation of Stage-III curbs, which include a ban on non-essential construction work.
Another Western Disturbance is likely to affect northwest India around January 14–15.
GRAP Stage 3, which was brought back on Thursday, entails a ban on non-essential construction work. Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt.
Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four stages – Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
