'No Such Order Issued': UP Government Amid Reports Of Meat Shops Being Shut During Navratri

Ghaziabad Mayor had also said that selling of meat will not be allowed during Navratri. But later, in an amended order, said that licensed meat shops can operate in compliance with state govt orders.

New Delhi: Amid reports of meat shops being closed in some districts of Uttar Pradesh during Navratri, the UP Government on Monday said that no such orders have been issued, reported news agency PTI. 

"No such orders have been issued by the government. The districts from where such reports are coming, ask them from where these orders have come," Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal said while responding to a question about reports from various districts of the state that meat shops are being closed down on the nine-day-long Hindu festival, quoted the news agency. 

An order was issued by district panchayat chairman Vijay Singh in Aligarh on April 2 stating that all meat shops in areas falling under the jurisdiction of the zila panchayat will remain shut "during the period of the Navratri festival".

There are an estimated 100 meat shops in these areas.

However, the order does not apply to the shops in Aligarh city.

Singh had warned that those shopkeepers who do not comply with the order will face action and their licences would be revoked, in a statement issued to the media.

Ghaziabad Mayor Asha Sharma had also said, on Saturday, that selling of meat will not be allowed in the open, near temples and in the bylanes where temples are located during Navratri.

But later, in an amended order, Sharma said that licensed meat shops can operate in compliance with state government orders.

District Magistrate R K Singh had told PTI that the mayor has amended her order and meat shops in Ghaziabad will remain open as per the guidelines of the government.