Assam okays bill to regulate cow slaughter: What CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said

• Assam assembly passed a legislation regulating cattle slaughter, transport, sale of beef. Bill doesn't ban beef business but experts said it virtually shuts all doors on running it. Definition of cattle, as per the bill, includes all cow genus, including bull, calf and heifer. CM Himanta Sarma told the House that buffaloes will be exempted from provisions of Bill. Cattle slaughter is permitted in Assam with conditions, as is sale & consumption of beef. The Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 was passed through a voice vote on Friday. Opposition members wanted the controversial Bill to be sent to a Select Committee. They said the state will lose revenue as cattle trade in Assam is worth ₹20,000 crore annually. Leaders staged a walk out from the House during the two-hour discussion on legislation.