Jammu, Feb 12 (JKNS): The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has reconstituted the Slaughter Houses Committee in the Union Territory to ensure effective regulation, monitoring and compliance of slaughterhouses with hygiene, environmental and legal standards.
The order has been issued vide Government Order No. 200-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated February 12, 2026, and signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M. Raju, IAS as per news agency JKNS, the Committee has been reconstituted in supersession of Government Order No. 557-GAD of 2015 dated April 16, 2015.
According to the composition notified, the Administrative Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee.
The Administrative Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department, has been nominated as Member.
The Inspector General of Police, Jammu/Kashmir, shall be Member.
Ms. Masarat Shaheen, retired District & Sessions Judge, has been appointed as Convener of the Committee.
The Commissioner of Food Safety and Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organization, J&K, shall serve as Member.
The Labour Commissioner, J&K, has also been nominated as Member.
The Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir, and the Director Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu/Kashmir, shall serve as Members.
The Member Secretary, Pollution Control Committee, J&K, along with a representative of the Pollution Control Committee, have been included as Members.
Ms. Gauri Maulekhi, Trustee and Member Secretary, People for Animals Public Policy Foundation, has also been nominated as Member.
As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee has been tasked with identifying and preparing a list of all slaughterhouses located within Local Self-Government bodies, including Municipal Corporations and Panchayats.
It will call for reports from District Magistrates or Deputy Commissioners and District Food Safety Inspectors regarding the condition and functioning of slaughterhouses and their compliance with relevant laws.
The Committee has been mandated to recommend modernization of old slaughterhouses and relocation of those situated within or in close proximity to residential areas.
It will also suggest measures to deal with solid waste, water and air pollution, and ensure prevention of cruelty to animals meant for slaughter.
The panel has been empowered to carry out surprise and random inspections and issue directions for compliance with its recommendations.
Further, it will send biannual reports on slaughterhouses in the Union Territory to the Central Committee and refer matters requiring Central Government assistance.
The Committee will accord final approval for licensing of slaughterhouses to Local Self-Government bodies.
It has also been directed to identify unlicensed slaughterhouses and other unlawful establishments on an ongoing basis and seek assistance of the District Magistrate and law enforcement agencies to crack down on such units, besides checking for instances of child labour.
The order further states that an honorarium of Rs. 20,000 per month shall be paid to the Convener of the Committee by the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
The reconstitution of the Committee aims to strengthen oversight, improve public health safeguards and ensure lawful and humane functioning of slaughterhouses across Jammu and Kashmir. (JKNS)
