Haryana Government has imposed a complete ban on the sale of beef in any form in the State.
The State Assembly on late Monday evening passed Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill 2015 imposing a complete ban on the sale of beef in any form including flesh of cow contained in sealed containers and imported in the State.
The Act, which clamps a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state, provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to ten years for killing the animal. It also provides for a fine ranging from Rs30,000 to Rsone lakh.
In case of default in payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo another one year rigorous imprisonment, according to the Act.
The State Government will also 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.
As per the Act, the State Government shall have power to issue special permit for export of cow in case where it is of the opinion that it shall be in the public interest to do so. No permit for export of cows shall be issued for a State where cow slaughter is not banned by law.
An institution would also be established to accept, keep, maintain and to take care of the infirm, injured, stray and uneconomic cows.
The Bill was moved by state Animal Husbandry Minister O P Dhankar and was passed by voice vote.
Speaking on the Bill, Dhankar said that Haryana was promulgating the toughest laws against cow slaughter in the country. The law has been framed after studying the laws of different States.
Dhankar said that the vehicle used for transporting cow would be impounded by a police officer not below the rank of Sub Inspector or any other officer authorised by the state government.
The Minister had earlier said that there are about three lakh cows in 400 gaushalas across the state. Apart from this, about 1.5 lakh are stray cows and 18 lakh cows are being reared by people in their houses.