The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a directive to the Maharashtra government to review a petition from the Al Quraish Human Welfare Association, which has challenged the significant increase in medical examination fees at the Deonar abattoir. The fees for cattle slated for slaughter had previously escalated from ₹20 to ₹200 per animal, sparking widespread concern among traders and the association alike.
The plea emerged following a notification in May 2022 that introduced the steep hike, which the association claims adversely affects accessibility to affordable protein sources and contradicts the state’s obligation to maintain public health.
In their public interest litigation, represented by advocate AA Qureshi, the association pointed out an inconsistency where, despite a government resolution in June 2023 reducing fees during Bakri Eid, traders were still excessively charged, amounting to an overcollection of ₹32.61 lakh.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that the state government had, after considering the petitioner’s earlier representation, reduced the fee back to ₹20 specifically for Bakri Eid in 2024. The court, presided over by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik, acknowledged the government’s discretionary power over policy matters but underscored the importance of addressing public grievances in a timely fashion.
