NEW DELHI: South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) may soon make it mandatory for eateries and restaurants to declare it on their boards about what type of meat is being served in their establishments.
Narendra Chawla, leader of the House in SDMC, said that many people had been approaching them for this. “Even sweet shops mention what type of milk has been used in preparations of different items. Similarly, it will be better if the establishments, which serve non-vegetarian food, also put up boards stating whether halal or jhatka meat was being served,” he added.
Chawla said that it was still a proposal but the public health department had been asked to work on it so that it could be incorporated in the health licencing policy. All the eateries are required to obtain annual health trade licence from the municipal body.
“Some people prefer halal meat, while others jhatka. The specification will help in maintaining clarity for people regarding what they are eating. Some communities have approached us to introduce this policy for clarity. Consumers should have both clarity and choice,” added the SDMC functionary.
A senior official said that for the implementation of the idea, the public health department would have to propose it as a formal agenda item in the standing committee meeting. It would also need clearance from elected members. The official, however, added that eateries might be reluctant to adopt this practice.
In August 2018, the east corporation had cleared a similar proposal. The resolution mandating halal-jhatka boards had argued that “a lot of people from Hindu and Sikh community reside in east Delhi and there are quite a lot of restaurants serving meat (dishes)” and that “consumption of halal meat is not allowed as per the Hindu and Sikh religions.”