On Wednesday( 8th May), Delhi High Court criticizes multiple authorities for neglecting dairy industry regulation in the capital. Failure to ensure milk purity and curb illegal hormone use cited.
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NEW DELHI: On Wednesday( 8th May), The Delhi High Court condemned multiple authorities—including the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)—for their negligence in regulating the dairy industry within the national capital.The court noted their failure to ensure milk purity and prevent the illegal use of hazardous hormones in cattle.
The Division Bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, criticized the officials for overlooking basic cleanliness and hygiene standards at local dairies. The justices were particularly disturbed by reports of cattle being exposed to hazardous waste near landfill sites, with the resulting milk being consumed by children or used in confections.
During the session, Acting Chief Justice Manmohan expressed his dismay over the negligence observed, stating-
“Presently, it appears that the authorities are disregarding the presence of these dairies. The milk from these sources, commonly used in confectionery items like sweets and chocolates, is not undergoing scrutiny by regulatory bodies. Disturbingly, reports suggest cruel practices, such as cattle being confined to upper floors indefinitely, leading to unsanitary conditions. Despite oxytocin being banned, its widespread use in these dairy farms continues unchecked. It is essential to question the actions of responsible officers and hold them accountable for their negligence.”
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The Court was addressing a plea by advocate Sunayana Sibal and others, which urged relocating nine dairy colonies to more suitable locations. As the hearing progressed, a warning was issued to Delhi Police about their inadequate efforts in halting the sale of spurious Oxytocin, a hormone notoriously misused in dairy operations. The bench considered escalating the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if the police continue to falter.
“If the police feel unable to handle the situation effectively, we will consider involving the CBI. It’s crucial to recognize the gravity of the situation. Contaminated milk could have serious implications, especially for young children and infants. The police need to act promptly and decisively.”
Further, the justices prompted Delhi’s Chief Secretary, Naresh Kumar—who attended the proceedings via video conference—to personally inspect these dairy sites.
“I suggest Chief Secretary Sahab allocate some time to visit a few of these dairies. This direct observation will offer valuable insights. It appears that your officers are not conducting field visits and lack awareness of the situation. I’m uncertain if they have permission to access these areas. Your visit would send a clear message and motivate your officers to take similar action.”
-the bench remarked.
The court also voiced frustration with the government’s inability to provide accurate statistics regarding the cattle population in these dairy colonies. Discrepancies were evident as the Delhi government reported approximately 30,000 cattle, whereas the Central government’s Department of Animal Husbandry suggested figures exceeding three lakh.
In response to these findings, the court ordered the Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive report outlining a strategic plan to ensure all dairies are licensed and cattle are not feeding on landfill waste. This report is also expected to detail measures to prevent milk contamination near landfill sites and efforts to track the sources of Oxytocin.
Additionally, specific directives were aimed at the Madanpur Khadar dairy, which is set to serve as a pilot project to demonstrate compliance with all legal requirements.
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