Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Oct 18: After facing widespread criticism for classifying meat shops under the “Green Category,” the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has reversed its decision and reclassified them under the “Red Category,” requiring operators to obtain Consent to Operate under the Water and Air Acts.

The earlier move had triggered strong backlash from animal welfare groups and legal experts, who accused the Board of allowing animal slaughter in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The GSPCB had, during its meeting in December last year, placed chicken and mutton shops under the Green Category based on wastewater samples and effluent scores that met green norms. However, the classification was suspended in June this year following mounting objections.

At its latest meeting held on October 7, the Board decided to reclassify these establishments as “Red Category.” “The Member Secretary informed the members that consequent to the deliberations and decisions at the meeting, all such units are now categorised as Red Category,” the minutes of the meeting stated.

The Board is now in the process of issuing directions to 19 registered units for re-categorisation under the new classification.

Following the December decision, GSPCB received multiple representations from lawyers, the Animal Welfare Board, and the People for Animal Policy Foundation. They questioned how slaughterhouses could remain under the Red Category while meat and poultry shops were placed under Green, arguing it contradicted national pollution and animal welfare standards.

Earlier, the Board had cited that as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, poultry cutting was not categorised, prompting the state authority to initiate its own classification exercise. The GSPCB had also instructed meat shops to ensure wastewater disposal through septic tanks or soak pits for individual units.

With the reclassification, all such units in Goa will now be required to comply with stricter environmental norms and regulatory permissions under the Red Category.