Kolkata: The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in West Bengal has issued a fresh public notice reinforcing stringent regulations on cattle slaughter, invoking provisions of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950. The move signals a major policy shift in the state’s administrative approach following the recent Assembly elections.
#Breaking 75 percent Cattle slaughter Ban now.
The #WestBengal Government has issued a fresh public notice enforcing stricter compliance under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
• Slaughter of bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, and male or female buffaloes will… pic.twitter.com/Q4NapylNgQ
— Oxomiya Jiyori 🇮🇳 (@SouleFacts) May 13, 2026
The government has reiterated that the slaughter of cattle, including bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, and both male and female buffaloes, will be strictly prohibited without a mandatory fitness certificate. This certificate serves as the primary legal requirement to determine whether an animal is eligible for slaughter.
Under the revised enforcement guidelines, the certification process has been made more rigorous. A fitness certificate can only be issued jointly by the Chairperson of a Municipality or the President (Sabhapati) of a Panchayat Samiti, along with a government veterinary officer. Both authorities must agree in writing before granting approval.
The criteria for issuing such a certification have also been clearly defined. It will only be granted if the animal is over 14 years of age and deemed unfit for work or breeding. Additionally, animals that are permanently incapacitated due to old age, injury, deformity, or any incurable disease may also qualify for slaughter permission.
Further tightening the norms, the government has prohibited slaughter in unauthorised locations. Animals can now only be slaughtered at designated municipal slaughterhouses or facilities specifically approved by local authorities. Public or unregulated slaughterhouses have been effectively banned under the new directive.
Violations of the Act carry legal consequences. Offenders may face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both. The government has also outlined an appeal mechanism; individuals whose applications for fitness certificates are rejected can approach the state government within 15 days of receiving the decision.
This development comes after a significant political transition in the state. The BJP secured a decisive mandate in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 206 out of 294 seats. This marked a dramatic rise from its previous tally of 77 seats and brought an end to 15 years of rule by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee.
The new administration, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has since initiated a series of policy measures, with the stricter enforcement of cattle slaughter laws being one of the most notable early actions.
The notification underscores the government’s emphasis on regulatory oversight, animal welfare considerations, and adherence to existing legal frameworks, while also reflecting broader political and administrative changes underway in the state.
