Judgment :

K.S. Radhakrishnan, J.

1. We have passed a detailed order on 9.7.2013 expressing the apprehension as to whether the Committees constituted, following our earlier order dated 23.8.2012, are effectively functioning and whether proper steps are being taken for proper implementation of the provisions of the various legislations which have been passed, with regard to the transportation of animals, maintaining of slaughter houses effluent and solid waste disposal etc.

2. Vide our order dated 9.7.2013, we had directed all the State Governments/Union Territories to file their action taken reports within one month. Few of the States have filed the action taken reports detailing the functioning of the Committees constituted. We also directed the MoEF to finalize the guidelines for the effective and proper functioning of the State Committees for overseeing the functioning of the slaughter houses. In obedience to our direction, the MoEF, on 27.8.2013, filed a compliance report enclosing the broad framework to be followed by the State Committees for effective supervision of the slaughter houses and also with regard to the transportation of animals, loading and unloading, effluent disposal, solid waste disposal and also with regard to the periodical inspection of slaughter houses by the respective State Animal Welfare Boards.

3. We reiterate the importance of proper implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Registration of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Rules, 2000, the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000 and the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2000. Over and above, it is also of extreme importance that all the State Government, the State Animal Welfare Boards, Pollution Control Board etc. should scrupulously follow the guidelines issued by the MoEF, in obedience to the direction given by this Court on 10.10.2012. The guidelines are extracted hereinbelow for easy reference:

"GUIDELINES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS AND

SLAUGHTER HOUSES

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPARTMENT

Any livestock which are procured from the market are to be certified by a Veterinary Surgeon for issuing a fitness certificate in the from specified by the Central Government for the purpose of transportation.

The loading and unloading of the animals in the market place and before transportation shall be supervised by the concerned officials of the Animal Husbandry Department to ensure that the animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering.

In addition to the above health certificate a certificate has to be issued as per the Rule 96 of the Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001 by the Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department not below the rank of Assistant Director/Deputy Director/Chief Veterinary Officer.

The Animals Husbandry authority shall ensure that all animals are provided with shade, shelter food and water as necessary and they are tethered securely in a way which does not cause unnecessary discomfort to animals.

The Animals Husbandry Department shall ensure that the sick, lame injured and pregnant animals are not transported for Slaughter.

They should also ensure that the animals are never lifted or dragged by head, horns, ears, feet, tail or any other part of the Body which might cause unnecessary suffering.

DOCUMENTATION BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES

It should be ensured that each consignment shall bear label showing in bold red letters the name, address and telephone number (if any) of the consignor and consignee, the number and types of cattle being transported and quantity of rations and food provided.

The consignor shall be informed about the train or vehicle in which the consignment of cattle in being sent and its arrival time in advance.

The consignment of cattle shall be booked by the next train or vehicle and shall not be detained after the consignment is accepted for booki