Question : ILLEGAL BEEF TRADING

(a) whether illegal trade of beef on large scale is going in Delhi and other places of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether beef is being sold illegally in hotels/guest houses;

(d) if so, the action being taken against the owners of such hotels/guest houses in Delhi and other States in the country alongwith steps taken to check illegal beef trading and number of persons held responsible for such trade during the last three years; and

(e) the action taken or proposed to be taken against such owners/persons?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI TASLIMUDDIN )

(a )&(b): A complaint in regard to processing/storage of cow meat in processing plant/cold storage in Delhi was received in April 2005. Out of six samples tested at the Sriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi, five were found positive for beef. Accordingly, First Information Report was lodged against the concerned pesons at the Police Station. The matter is sub judice. No complaint of illegal trade of beef were received in 2006 and till date in 2007.

(c)&(d): No complaints regarding illegal sale of beef in hotels/guest houses in Delhi have been received.

(e): Slaughter of animals & sale of meat is a State subject. The State Governments have formulated rules in this regard, which provide for appropriate penalties.