
Animal welfare activist issues legal notice over regulatory breaches at AMC-run abattoir in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: An animal welfare activist from Delhi has issued a
legal notice
to the state govt authorities, alleging regulatory breaches by the
Jamalpur slaughterhouse
. This facility is the only licensed one in the city and is run by the
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
(AMC).
In the notice issued to the commissioner of food safety, the food and drug control administration, and the principal secretary of the urban development and urban housing department, Gauri Maulekhi, the activist, cited information obtained under the RTI Act provisions from the municipal corporation. She based her claim on this information, stating that more animals are slaughtered in the abattoir than the permission granted to it.
The RTI data reveals that the slaughterhouse exceeded its licensed daily limit of 30 large animals and 98 small animals on multiple days in Jan.
The activist has termed the volume crossing the threshold a violation of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standard Act, which requires a central license under the Food Safety and Standard Regulations. She has called for the suspension of operations and prosecution of those responsible for the breach of license, as well as the enforcement of central licensing. She has also urged the authority to inspect the slaughterhouse through the State Slaughterhouse Monitoring Committee, as mandated by the Supreme Court in earlier orders.
Her counsel has warned that failure to act could lead to contempt of court proceedings.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
RTI victory for JAC at PGI: CPIO directed to provide info in 30 days
Chandigarh: In a significant development at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the first appellate authority (FAA) has directed the chief public information officer (CPIO), Vigilance Cell, to furnish information sought under Right to Information (RTI) Act, free of cost, within 30 days. The order follows a complaint filed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of PGI over denial of RTI information. The JAC had sought details of cases referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from January 1, 2020, onward, specifically those related to fraudulent withdrawal of medicines, drugs, and surgical items on forged indents in the Prime Minister's Grant case. However, the CPIO rejected the application, stating that the JAC did not qualify as a "citizen" under Rule 3 of the RTI Act, 2005. In response, the JAC filed a first appeal dated May 24, 2025, before the FAA, requesting immediate disclosure of the information and enforcement of suo moto publication of such details on PGIMER's website under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. They also called for imposition of a penalty of Rs 250 per day for delay in providing information, as prescribed under Section 20 (1) of the Act. Dr Sunil K Gupta, chief vigilance officer and first appellate authority, issued a detailed ruling directing the CPIO to provide the requested information within 30 days and ensure its publication on the official website of the institute. He observed that the original case file was examined and the CPIO's technical objection—based on a narrow interpretation of the term "citizen"—was not tenable in light of prevailing legal precedents. "The CPIO, Vigilance Cell, is directed to provide requisite information as per rule to the applicant within 30 days, free of cost, and also ensure suo moto disclosure of the information on the website of PGIMER," stated Dr Gupta in the order. The FAA also referenced a Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling dated January 7, 2025, which clarified that office-bearers of associations, unions, and other collective entities are entitled to seek information under the RTI Act on behalf of their organisations. This legal precedent played a crucial role in the decision to allow the JAC's application. A copy of the order has been sent to the system analyst, computer cell, PGIMER, for prompt uploading of relevant information on the institution's website. MSID:: 121956868 413 |


Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
AMC estate inspector held in DA case
Ahmedabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday arrested Jignesh Shah, an estate inspector (class 2) posted in the East Zone of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs 3.07 crore, about 102.47% more than his known source of income. The action was initiated after the ACB received a complaint against Shah. He was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018), and the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988. The investigation covered his financial activities over a decade — from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2022. According to ACB officials, Shah allegedly misused his official position to amass assets far exceeding his lawful income. It is suspected that Shah made investments in the names of relatives and associates. Following preliminary findings, an offence was registered on June 19 at the ACB police station in Ahmedabad. On the same day, Shah was arrested and taken into custody for further investigation. The probe is led by police inspector (PI) VD Chaudhary under the supervision of assistant director KB Chudasama, while PI DN Patel has been assigned the task of conducting further inquiries. ACB officials said the action was part of a broader campaign by ACB to trace and act upon illegal wealth accumulated by public servants beyond their known sources of income.


Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Economic Times
Rx Name Unethical Practitioners: A medical thriller unfolds in India
Don't hide them behind stethos In an episode that could rival a streaming medical thriller, Department of Pharmaceuticals' (DoP) Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices, under the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, has found that AbbVie Healthcare India, a subsidiary of the US-based AbbVie Inc, had sponsored international trips for 30 doctors by spending nearly ₹1.91 cr in breach of Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024. The trips were to Paris and Monaco - for an 'anti-ageing conference'. The twist? DoP refuses to reveal the names of these doctors, claiming that it would serve 'no public interest'. Seriously? Under Section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act, personal information can be withheld unless it relates to public activity, or involves a larger public interest. The Supreme Court in 'CBSE v. Aditya Bandopadhyay' (2011) clarified that public interest trumps privacy when the matter involves ethics, misuse of public trust or potential illegality. Exposing medical professionals breaching ethical codes is as public interest-worthy as things can get. These were corporate-sponsored trips in violation of Medical Council of India (MCI) Code of Ethics, now incorporated under National Medical Commission (NMC). It could also be a tax issue. In 'Apex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT' (2022), Supreme Court held that pharma companies can't claim expenses on such freebies as business deductions under Section 37(1) of I-T Act. Any expenditure prohibited by law, or contrary to public policy, can't be deemed a legitimate business expense. Finance Bill 2022 reinforced this, barring deductions for any expense in violation of MCI Code or Clause 7.2 of the UCPMP (Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices). Under Section 28(iv), any non-cash benefit or perk arising from the exercise of a profession is taxable as 'profits and gains from business or profession'. So, doctors cannot claim these as business expenses, write them off or hide them behind a stethoscope. These are professional receipts, and I-T department expects them to be are these freebies valued by the recipient? Where value is ascertainable, the law mandates it be used. For goods - say, a smartphone - use the fair market value. For services like travel or hotel stays, the actual cost to provider - in this case, AbbVie - must be included. Doctors are expected to report these benefits and maintain documentary evidence, such as brochures, invoices, travel itineraries, etc. There are penalties for wilful concealment.I-T department's investigation wing can legally requisition information from DoP, the sponsoring pharma company - AbbVie, here - and even travel agencies that arranged these foreign trips. If AbbVie failed to report these expenses under Section 285BA (statement of financial transactions) of I-T Act, it could constitute non-reporting of high-value data in hand, under Section 147 (reassessment), if any income (like value of these freebies) has escaped assessment, the assessing officer can reopen past returns. Under Section 69/69B, any unexplained income or expenditure can be added to the doctor's taxable income. Non-disclosure triggers penalties under Section 270A, interest under Sections 234B and 234C, and in cases of wilful concealment, prosecution under Section as a US multinational, could also fall under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Under FCPA, doctors at public hospitals abroad - in this case, in India - are treated as foreign officials. Giving 'anything of value' - from per diems and conference sponsorships, to charitable donations - with a corrupt intent can trigger civil and criminal penalties in the US. Several global pharma companies have already faced FCPA enforcement for sponsoring foreign trips, or donating to charities run by government we have here is actually a systemic failure to enforce transparency in an area that affects public health, tax revenue and professional integrity. By refusing to name the doctors, DoP is enabling opacity, shielding violators and undermining the credibility of India's regulatory it sends a dangerous signal. The refusal to reveal names is not about privacy. It's about protecting privilege. And when privilege leads to tax evasion and ethical violations, silence becomes a public trust deficit. In this case, what happened in Paris and Monaco shouldn't stay in Paris and Monaco. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Why Infy's Parekh takes home more than TCS' CEO despite being smaller Central bankers print currency for all, but why do they chase gold? Worrying cracks hiding behind MG Motor's own 'house of Windsor' Why failed small businessmen die by suicide when those behind big blow-ups bounce back? Stock Radar: Ascending Triangle pattern breakout makes Mphasis an attractive buy; stock up over 30% from April lows Buy, Sell or Hold: BSE doubles from March lows, but brokerages turn cautious after SEBI's expiry day directive These mid-cap stocks with 'Strong Buy' & 'Buy' recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts F&O Radar| Deploy Bear Put Spread in Nifty for gains from volatility, negative stance