GUWAHATI, March 16 - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) today conducted a drive against unhygienic fish and meat markets in the city.
�The sale of meat and fish in open markets in the city is causing serious health hazards to the residents here as it is very unhygienic. The drive is being carried out to ensure proper cleanliness in all markets of Guwahati. We have inspected altogether 132 shops of fish, mutton and poultry in the city. Several fish vendors on the footpaths were also evicted,� Veterinary Officer GMC Pradip Medhi said.
�We urge the city residents not to buy meat and fish from roadside vendors as it is not health-friendly. It has also created an unhealthy atmosphere,� he added.
Medhi said several instructions were also given to the sellers of meat and fish to maintain hygiene in the wake of the coronavirus threat. The GMC also instructed the Bazar committees to ensure cleanliness in the markets.
The drive was started at 10.30 am from Paltan Bazar to Ganeshguri via Bhangagarh. The hotels, restaurants, fast-food eateries, etc, have also been checked during the drive.
A total of fine amounting to Rs 37,500 has been collected. Several footpath vendors selling meat and fish in unhygienic conditions were evicted by the Corporation.
The Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro), Biswajit Pegu, recently directed GMC to ensure proper cleanliness in all market areas of Guwahati and to carry out awareness drives about coronavirus at all public places.
�The drive will be continued to check the illegal and unhygienic shops and footpath vendors in the city. Violators will bear heavy fines,� Joint Commissioner GMC Siddhartha Goswami said.
Moreover, all meat sellers in areas under the GMC must slaughter animals only at the government-certified abattoir at Juripar area of the city, but it was not followed by the sellers.
