The Haryana assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill 2015 with two amendments, thus imposing a complete ban on cow slaughter.
The Bill, which provides for a rigourous imprisonment ranging from three years to 10 years, was passed by voice vote with members cutting across party lines unanimously supporting it. Tabled by animal husbandry and dairying minister OP Dhankar, the Bill also provides for a fine ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs one lakh. It also has the provision of additional imprisonment for default in payment of fine upto one year.
"Haryana was promulgating the toughest law against cow slaughter in the country after studying the laws in the context in various states," said Dhankar.
According to the Bill, the killing of a cow in an accident or self-defense would not be considered as slaughter under the Act. However, any person found indulging in export of cow for the purpose of slaughter, either directly or through his agent or servant or any other person, could get rigorous imprisonment of at least three years and maximum of seven years with fine from Rs.30,000 to Rs 70,000.
Similarly, sale of beef would be completely banned in the state and this offence would be punishable with a minimum rigorous imprisonment for three years and maximum of upto five years with fine of upto Rs 50,000.
"The government would also make schemes for the conservation and upgradation of indigenous breeds of cow and provide incentives on production, processing and marketing of milk or milk products obtained from indigenous breeds of cows and establish an institution to accept, keep, maintain and care the infirm, injured, stray and uneconomic cows. It would also provide adequate financial and technical support to such institution," Dhankar said.
{{/usCountry}}"The government would also make schemes for the conservation and upgradation of indigenous breeds of cow and provide incentives on production, processing and marketing of milk or milk products obtained from indigenous breeds of cows and establish an institution to accept, keep, maintain and care the infirm, injured, stray and uneconomic cows. It would also provide adequate financial and technical support to such institution," Dhankar said.
{{/usCountry}}"The government would establish laboratories for differentiation of beef from that of the meat of other species of animals, testing and identification of various constituents of milk and milk products and testing and differentiation of A1 and A2 milk for providing incentives for wholesome production of milk and milk products," Dhankar added.
Supporting the Bill, Indian National Lok Dal MLA from Nuh, Zakir Hussain, who hails from Mewat area, said his
grandfather had held a panchayat against cow slaughter, adding that members of the Muslim community respected cows like a mother and also considered its milk to be "amrit".
Senior Congress MLA Karan Dalal and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too hailed the Bill and said the BJP deserved to be complimented for the same. Khattar thanked all MLAs for unanimously passing the Bill.