The Supreme Court has directed the Kerala High Court to continue the order directing the Lakshadweep administration to include meat and chicken products in the mid-day meal menu for school children.
A petition was filed in the court challenging the decision of the Lakshadweep administration to shut down dairy farms and remove meat products, including chicken, from the mid-day meal menu for school children.
The High Court had on June 22, 2021 stayed the operation of two orders of the Lakshadweep administration – shutting down dairy farms and removing meat products, including chicken, from the mid-day meal menu for school children.
Later in September, a division bench of the High Court dismissed a PIL filed by Ajmal Ahmed, a native of Kavaratti, who alleged that when Praful Khoda Patel took over as island administrator in December last year, his The top priority was to close the farms they were running. To “attack” the animal husbandry department and the food habits of the islanders being followed since ancient times.
Challenging the May 21, 2021 order of the Director of Animal Husbandry, directing immediate closure of all dairy farms, Ahmed said this was done to implement the proposed Animal Protection (Regulation), 2021, which would provide for cows. Prohibits the slaughter of calves and bullocks. ,
He submitted that as per this proposed rule, sale and purchase of beef and beef products by closing the farms, reducing the source of the islanders to obtain milk products and forcing them to buy imported milk products from Gujarat. will be banned.
The petitioner had also challenged the administration’s decision to remove chicken and other meat items from the menu of the mid-day meal for school children in Lakshadweep.
He alleged, “As per the decision taken by the said committee in the meeting held on January 27, 2021, a new menu has been suggested, which is completely replacing the prevailing menu for mid-day meals for students in the islands.” ,” he alleged.
(with PTI inputs)