The availability of beef in Kolkata has significantly decreased following a May government notice enforcing strict compliance with the 1950 West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act. The regulation mandates that only animals over 14 years old or those deemed unfit for labor can be slaughtered, requiring official certification. Beyond these restrictions, local meat traders face operational challenges due to the suspension of license renewals following the dissolution of the municipal corporation. These combined factors have led to supply shortages, increased prices, and forced dietary adjustments for residents and local eateries. While the policy shift followed a change in the state's political landscape, traders report that the current administrative deadlock regarding permits has left many unable to sustain their livelihoods, marking a departure from the historical availability of the meat in the region.
Source : Al Jazeera English
