NGT issues notice over ‘non-compliance’ of slaughterhouse inspection order

Agra: National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) principal bench has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), Agra Municipal Corporation and other parties concerned over the alleged failure to comply with its earlier directions regarding inspection of a municipal slaughterhouse in Agra.The matter came up for hearing on May 29, and the order was uploaded on the NGT website on Wednesday. The bench, comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad, was hearing an execution application filed by Azad Quraishi.The applicant alleged that the slaughterhouse was operating in violation of the conditions of its Consent to Operate (CTO) and sought enforcement of the tribunal’s April 1, 2026, order.While disposing of the original plea in April, NGT had directed UPPCB and other departments to inspect the facility, verify compliance with CTO conditions and take appropriate remedial and punitive action if violations were found. The exercise was to be completed within six weeks.During the hearing, counsel for the applicant informed the tribunal that the directions had not yet been implemented.Taking note of the submission, NGT issued notices to the respondents and granted them four weeks to file their replies. The next hearing has been scheduled for Sept 10.The municipal slaughterhouse was allotted through a tender last year. Officials said it is currently operating at nearly one-fourth of its capacity due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.