The Government of West Bengal has issued a fresh public notice reiterating strict compliance with the provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, laying down detailed rules regarding the slaughter of cattle and buffaloes in the state.
The notice, issued by the Home & Hill Affairs Department from Nabanna on May 13, 2026, cites earlier orders passed by the Calcutta High Court in 2018 and 2022 and states that all concerned authorities and individuals must strictly follow the provisions mentioned in the order.
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Open in new tab According to the public notice, no person will be allowed to slaughter animals including bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, buffalo calves and castrated buffaloes unless a valid certificate declaring the animal fit for slaughter has been obtained.
The notice further states that such certificates can only be jointly issued by the chairman of a municipality or the sabhapati of a panchayat samiti along with a government veterinary surgeon. The certificate may only be granted if both authorities are satisfied that the animal is either over 14 years of age for work or breeding purposes, or has become permanently incapacitated due to age, injury, deformity or incurable disease.
In cases where a certificate is denied, the affected individual has been given the right to appeal before the state government within 15 days from the communication of the refusal.
The government has also clarified that any animal for which a slaughter certificate has been issued can only be slaughtered at a municipal slaughterhouse or another slaughter facility identified by the local administration. Slaughtering such animals in open public places has been strictly prohibited under the notice.
Another key provision mentioned in the order states that no person shall obstruct inspections conducted by authorised officials, including municipal authorities, panchayat representatives or government veterinary surgeons empowered to enforce the provisions of the 1950 Act.
The notice warns that any violation of the provisions may invite punishment of up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both. It also notes that all offences under the Act are cognisable offences.
The state government said the latest order has been issued in compliance with judicial directives and existing legal provisions under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
