Chandigarh, Aug. 18 -- The municipal corporation (MC) is set to overhaul rules governing meat, fish, poultry shops and commercial food establishments in Chandigarh, with a detailed agenda regarding the same to be placed before the General House on August 20. The draft bylaws propose stringent penalties, with fines up to Rs.50,000 (see box), besides sealing, confiscation, suspension, blacklisting and criminal proceedings of meat shops violating prescribed rules and not adhering to hygiene standards.

The proposed "MCC (Regulation, Control, and Inspection of Meat, Fish, Poultry Shops and Commercial Food Establishments) Bylaws, 2026" seek to replace the existing 2002 framework, amended in 2010 and encompasses licensing, sourcing, hygiene, re...