India, March 21 -- The Haryana government's directorate of urban local bodies on Thursday directed authorities to step up enforcement against unlicensed meat shops across all 22 districts and conduct inspection drives to immediately close such shops. The directorate also asked the authorities to submit an action taken report within one week. "It has also been observed with concern that some such establishments are functioning in proximity to religious places and other public areas, causing public nuisance, sanitation concerns, and inconvenience to the general public," the order read. On Friday, teams from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), along with the local police, began inspections near temples, schools, and colleges. A MCG official said teams also conducted inspections on Sohna Road and in Sectors 46, 9, 10A, and 53, and found that a majority of meat shops were shut. "Regular inspections are in place to ensure that no meat shops remain open in close proximity to religious sites and near educational institutes," said Ashish Singhla, chief medical officer, MCG. An HT spot check on Friday found all licensed and unlicensed meat and biryani shops in Badshahpur, Prajapti road, Sector 66, 46, 11, and 53 shut. Urban local bodies minister, Vipul Goel, issued a press statement demanding an immediate ban on meat shops near "sensitive locations" of the state during Navratri....