Centre bans sale of cattle for slaughter across India
The Centre has banned sale of cattle for slaughter. Trade of the animal will only be allowed for farm land owners. Cow slaughter is illegal in most states anyway, except in parts of northeast and Kerala. The new regulation was notified under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This comes amid frequent cases of violence against cow sellers, especially by vigilante Hindu groups.
Centre bans sale of cattle for slaughter across India
The Centre has banned sale of cattle for slaughter. Trade of the animal will only be allowed for farm land owners. Cow slaughter is illegal in most states anyway, except in parts of northeast and Kerala. The new regulation was notified under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This comes amid frequent cases of violence against cow sellers, especially by vigilante Hindu groups.
What are the provisions?
Cattle cannot be resold within six months; "young" and "unfit" animals cannot be sold. Animal markets will need official approval; they cannot be set up within 50km of the international border and 25km of state border. Buyers and sellers will have to produce documents to prove they are "agriculturist". Former environment minister Anil Madhav Dave approved the rules before his death last week.
What would be the implications?
The rules will affect animal markets that are a regular affair in many states like UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Mandatory paperwork will be difficult for many cow traders, most of whom are poor and illiterate. A provision, which says owners have to pay for the animal's upkeep in a shelter, is also likely to put financial strain on them.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee rejects cow slaughter ban
After Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan urged PM Narendra Modi to rethink the recent ban on cow slaughter, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has now called the move "unconstitutional", saying her state won't accept it. She added the state will challenge the law constitutionally, since it was an attempt to "demoralize and destroy the federal structure of the country."
Madras HC stays Centre's recent cow slaughter ban
The Madras HC has stayed the Centre's recent notification banning trade of cattle for slaughter. A PIL was filed against the law, which claimed choice of food is the individual's right and not a state matter. The counsel for the Centre argued the law was aimed at regulating animal markets. The court has now asked for replies from the Centre and the state.
