Does Delhi’s dairy colony use Oxytocin? Probably, based on a recent Delhi High Court petition that noted the “rampant use of Oxytocin” in these colonies.
The Central government outlawed the drug in April 2018 on the grounds that it was being abused on milch cattle to boost productivity, endangering not only the health of the calves but also that of the people who drank the milk.
The Delhi High Court has now demanded action against the hormone’s fictitious usage in dairy colonies and noted that its administration equates to “animal cruelty” while hearing a plea against the “rampant use of Oxytocin hormone in the dairy colonies” in the nation’s capital.
In its May 1 order, a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora noted the Court Commissioner’s submission, which listed the “rampant use of Oxytocin hormone in the dairy colonies, packaged in white plastic bottles with a red or silver cap” as one of the issues.
The country’s needs for Oxytocin will only be able to be met by a single public sector enterprise, Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL), according to a decision made by the Center. Also known as the ‘love hormone’, Oxytocin is secreted by the pituitary glands of mammals during sex, childbirth, lactation or social bonding, and could be chemically manufactured and sold by pharma companies for use during childbirth.
It is administered either as an injection or a nasal solution. The HC noted the Court Commissioner’s submission that Oxytocin is administered to cattle to “force milk let-down and increase the production of milk”.
The bench, thereafter, directed: “Since administering of Oxytocin amounts to animal cruelty, and is a cognisable offence under Section 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, consequently, this court directs the Department of Drugs Control, GNCTD, to conduct weekly inspections and ensure that all cases of spurious Oxytocin usage or possession are registered under Section 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and Section 18(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.”
The HC further noted that the jurisdictional police stations in the areas where the dairy colonies are located will be looking into these offenses. “The Intelligence Department of Delhi Police is directed to identify the sources of such spurious Oxytocin production, packaging, and distribution and take action in accordance with the law,” ordered the HC.
The court was of the view that dairies should be “relocated” in areas having proper sewage, drainage, biogas plant, ample open space for the cattle to move around, and enough grazing area.
It noted that as per the Court Commissioner, the condition of all the nine designated dairy colonies in Delhi — Kakrola Dairy, Goela Dairy, Nangli Shakrawati Dairy, Jharoda Dairy, Bhalaswa Dairy, Ghazipur Dairy, Shahbad Daulatpur Dairy, Madanpur Khadar Dairy and Masoodpur Dairy — was “bad”. It, however, said that there was an “urgent need to rehabilitate and relocate the Ghazipur Dairy and Bhalaswa Dairy forthwith” as they were located next to the Sanitary Landfill Sites (SLFs). “Cattle in dairies situated next to landfill sites, without doubt, would feed on hazardous waste and their milk if consumed by humans, particularly children, (directly or indirectly) could have serious consequences.
Keeping in view the apprehension that dairies next to landfill sites can cause illness and public health hazards, this court is prima facie of the view that these dairies need to be relocated forthwith,” observed the bench.
But before giving any instructions, the bench stated that it wanted to know how the directives will be carried out from the relevant officials. The HC, thereafter, directed the Commissioner (MCD), Director of Veterinary (MCD), Chief Secretary (GNCTD), CEO (DUSIB), and CEO (FSSAI) to join the proceeding on the next hearing at 4 pm on May 8 through video conferencing. “The officials shall explore the possibility of availability of land where the dairies could be rehabilitated and relocated.
Before coming before this court, the Chief Secretary must also have a previous meeting with pertinent officials, the HC stated.
