New Delhi, August 28: Following a notice from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Uttar Pradesh government has admitted that extraction of animal bone fat in illegal furnaces in Meerut city is causing pollution and posing a serious health hazard.
The state’s chief secretary Aug 25 admitted to the health implications and said that corrective measures would be taken, a NHRC official said Friday.
According to the official, the commission has been informed that 24 teams have been constituted to ensure that illegal furnaces for extraction of fat are not allowed to operate.
The commission had Aug 10 issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on removing the illegal furnaces, stressing that the right to health is a fundamental right. It was pointed out that the slaughtered animals’ blood and waste was being flushed through open drains, resulting in the pollution of drinking water.
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“In response, the UP (Uttar Pradesh) government said that the various entry points through which animal remains were being brought into the city have been plugged,” the NHRC official said.
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“However, the district administration has sought some time to develop synergy with all stakeholders and the other government agencies before taking steps for removal of the furnaces in the ci”y,” he added.
–Agencies