The Odisha Government seems to have started mulling whether to implement the Cetnre’s ban on sale of cattle for slaughter or not in the State.
According to sources, the Government is now consulting legal experts in this regard after receiving a letter from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking a united opposition from States to the ban.
The Home and law Departments are now for looking into the legal aspects of the issue, sources said.
In his letter, the Kerala CM has termed the new cattle rules “anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular” and called upon all his counterparts to protect Federal rights of States.
“I am sure that you are already conversant with the notification containing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on May 23, 2017. The Rules impose a number of restrictions on cattle trade which would have serious repercussions on the livelihood of millions of people, especially those in the agricultural sector,” Vijayan lamented.
He said the Rules promulgated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 are not covered by the express delegation of legislative powers contained in the Act. Hence it is nothing but a covert attempt to usurp the powers of State legislatures in the guise of rules under a Central Act, the Kerala Chief Minister argued in the letter.
The restriction violated the basic rights of people’s freedom to choose their food.
Apart from the Constitutional and legal infirmities, the ban will definitely produce a chaotic situation in the rural agricultural economy in all the States.
“Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country. Therefore, I fervently appeal to you to convey your objection to the Prime Minister and request him to withdraw the Rules introduced without any consultation with the States,” urged the Kerala CM.