Bihar bans open sale of meat on roads, only licensed shops allowed

The Bihar government has imposed a statewide ban on the open sale of meat and fish, prohibiting vendors from selling on roadsides, footpaths or in open spaces across cities and towns. The announcement was made during the Budget Session of the Legislative Council on February 16 by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who said the decision was taken in view of cleanliness, public health and public sentiments. Only valid, licensed shopkeepers will now be permitted to sell meat.

Under the new guidelines, meat and fish cannot be displayed or sold in the open. Shops must be properly registered and authorised to operate. Structural modifications have also been mandated, requiring meat shops to install curtains or black glass panels so that the interior is not visible from outside. The government has warned of strict legal action against violators.

The Deputy Chief Minister said complaints from citizens, including concerns raised during a meeting in Darbhanga about open meat sale causing inconvenience on main roads, prompted the government to implement uniform regulations across the state. He asserted that the decision was taken in public interest rather than as a symbolic move.

Political observers have linked the decision to similar regulations already in force in Uttar Pradesh, where open display of meat is restricted and shops must adhere to licensing and hygiene norms. In Bihar, municipal bodies and district administrations have been directed to step up monitoring and ensure compliance at the local level.

In addition to the meat sale regulations, Sinha announced that no tax would be charged on hearses used for transporting bodies. He also took a swipe at the opposition, suggesting it was facing a leadership crisis and lacked a unified stand on public issues.