Implementation of West Bengal Slaughter Control Act in view of the ensuing Id-Uz-Zoha, 2026
GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
HOME & HILL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
NABANNA, HOWRAH
No. 631-H(Law)/PE/15S-292/19, Dated: 13.05.2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
Subject: Guidelines to be followed for compliance of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
In compliance of Order dated 16.08.2018 passed by the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta in W.P. No. 328/2018 (Rajyashree Chowdury – Vs – State of W.B. & Ors.), read with Order dated 21.08.2018 passed in G.A. No. 2325/2018 and Order dated 08.06.2022 passed in G.A. No. 1/2021 (in WPO No. 372/2019), all concerned are hereby informed that the following provisions/instructions shall be strictly followed:
(a) No person shall slaughter any animal (meaning Bulls, Bullocks, Cows, Calves, Male and Female Buffalos, Buffalo Calves, and Castrated Buffalos) unless he has obtained a certificate that the animal is fit for slaughter.
(b) The Chairman of a Municipality or the Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti, along with a Government Veterinary Officer, may issue a joint certificate regarding fitness for slaughter only if both are of the opinion (to be recorded in writing) that:
- the animal is over 14 years of age and unfit for work or breeding, or
- the animal has become permanently incapacitated due to age, injury, deformity, or any incurable disease.
(c) In case of refusal to issue such certificate, the aggrieved person may prefer an appeal to the State Government within 15 days of communication of such refusal.
(d) An animal in respect of which a certificate has been issued shall be slaughtered only in a Municipal Slaughter House or any other Slaughter House identified by the local administration.
(e) Slaughtering of animals for which a certificate has been issued is strictly prohibited in any open public place.
(f) No person shall resist inspection of any premises by an authorized person (authorized by the Chairman of a Municipality, the Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti, or the Government Veterinary Officer) for implementing the provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
(g) Whoever contravenes any of the above provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment for a period up to six months, or with fine up to Rs. 1,000/-, or with both. All offences under the 1950 Act shall be cognizable offences.
(h) The relevant decisions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta are available on the official website of the Government: http://wbard.gov.in
ICA-N125(4)/2026
Sd/-
Senior Special Secretary
to the Govt. of West Bengal
Home & Hill Affairs Department