Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tabled proposed legislation to protect cattle in the state on the first day of the Budget Session of the state assembly on Monday. Other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka have similar laws. Here is all you need to know about the Assam Bill:
What does it seek to achieve?
It seeks to protect cattle by regulating their slaughter, consumption, and preventing their illegal transportation. The Bill
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tabled proposed legislation to protect cattle in the state on the first day of the Budget Session of the state assembly on Monday. Other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka have similar laws. Here is all you need to know about the Assam Bill:
What does it seek to achieve?
It seeks to protect cattle by regulating their slaughter, consumption, and preventing their illegal transportation. The Bill provides for the prevention of slaughter of cows unless a registered veterinary officer issues a certificate that the animal is fit for slaughter. Only cows over 14 years of age or those permanently incapacitated due to work, breeding, accident, or deformity will be certified for slaughter. Certified cattle can be slaughtered only at licensed and recognised slaughterhouses. The state government may exempt certain places of worship, or certain occasions from the slaughter of cattle other than cow, heifer or calf, for religious purposes.
What are the proposed restrictions on the transportation of cattle?
The Bill proposes to ban the transportation of cattle from outside the state and to restrict their movement within Assam. A competent authority may issue permits for the transportation of cattle for bona fide agricultural or animal husbandry purposes as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. No permission would be required to carry cattle for grazing or for agricultural or animal husbandry purposes within a district. Transportation of cattle to and from registered animal markets for sale and purchase within a district will also not require any permission.
Also Read | Delhi runs out of Covishield, multiple states flag Covid-19 vaccine shortage
What are the restrictions on the sale of beef and beef products?
No one will be allowed to sell beef or beef products in any form except at places permitted by the government. Beef would not be allowed to be sold in areas that have a predominant population of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and other non-beef-eating communities or within a radius of five km of any temple, satra (Vaishnavite monastery), or other religious institutions belonging to Hindus, or any other institution or area as may be prescribed by the competent authority. Consumption of beef is not presently illegal in Assam. The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 1950, allows the slaughter of cattle above 14 years of age with proper approval. The new Bill seeks to repeal the 1950 law.
How does the Bill seek to regulate the sale of cattle in animal markets?
Every committee or recognised animal market shall issue proof of sale and purchase of animals in a prescribed format to the purchaser and maintain a proper record for inspection. Violations will lead to cancellation of license of the animal market and people responsible for violations are proposed to be barred from entering the market and fined. The Bill seeks to empower police and veterinary officers to seize cattle, carcasses, or vehicles used to transport cattle sold without following rules. The seized cattle shall be handed over to cow shelters or similar institutions.
Also Read | PM Modi to review Covid situation in N-E states today
What are the penalties for violating provisions of the Bill?
The violators are proposed to be imprisoned for anywhere between three and eight years. It also provides for fines between ₹3 lakh and ₹5 lakh. The Bill seeks to punish repeat offenders with double the imprisonment and fines for the second and subsequent convictions.
How could the Bill affect other north-eastern states?
Assam is the main gateway to the northeast region. Apart from cattle, almost all goods from other parts of the country are transported to the region via Assam. The Bill is likely to affect supplies of cattle to Christian-majority regions where beef is consumed. Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said last week that he will take up the matter with the Centre if the proposed law affects the supply of beef to the state.
Why are Opposition parties and minority organisations against the Bill?
Congress and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have said the Bill could lead to communal tensions and affect the livelihood of those involved in the cattle trade legally. AIUDF has said the Bill is aimed at targeting a particular community and the state’s BJP-led government wants to polarise people through it. Congress said the interpretation of the Bill could be contentious and could lead to attacks on communities that consume beef. Both parties said they would seek appropriate amendments.
The All-Assam Minority Students Union said clauses related to the ban on the sale of beef within a five km radius of temples were illogical and urged the government not to interfere with the food habits. It said the ban on transportation would affect the lives of many as well as revenue collection from the sale of cattle.
One Subscription.
Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines
to 100 year archives.
Archives
HT App & Website