Take down names of animal meats from signboards: Itanagar Municipal Corporation to hotels

Itanagar: According to an official order, the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) has asked all hotels and restaurants to remove references to specific animal products from their trade licensing nomenclature and signboards due to concerns about public decency and prevailing sensitivities.

In an order issued recently, IMC joint commissioner Datum Gadi said the IMC observed that several establishments were obtaining trade licences with names explicitly referring to particular animal meats such as pork, chicken, beef, and mutton.

It termed such naming practices "inappropriate" and inconsistent with norms related to animal welfare and public sensibilities, PTI reported.

Exercising powers under the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 2019, the IMC ordered that all existing trade licences bearing such nomenclature be suitably revised to adopt general and appropriate business names.

The civic body further stated that it will no longer issue new trade licences that reference specific animal meats. All concerned hotel and restaurant owners have been instructed to update their signboards and banners in line with the revised nomenclature.

Arunachal Pradesh is ruled by the BJP and the IMC is also controlled by the saffron party.

The order mandates compliance within 10 days from the date of issuance. The IMC warned that failure to comply would invite action under relevant laws and byelaws.