The Congress Government in Karnataka is opposed to Union Government’s law on sale of cattle for slaughter. The State Government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has shown resistance to the new law by saying it is a State subject. Siddaramaiah said in Kalaburgi that it was not binding on the State Government.
He said, “It is not binding on the State to implement the Centre’s curbs on sale of cattle for slaughter as it is a State subject.”
On Friday, the Centre had issued a notification — ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of livestock Markets)Rules-2017’ — banning the sale of cattle in animal markets for slaughter.
Siddaramaiah said the State Government would first examine the Centre’s notification and then take a decision on implementing this.
Karnataka Beef and Poultry Market Association President Khasim Ejaz Ahmed Kureshi said more than 10 lakh have been employed in the industry. The associaltion members will meet the Chief Minister to apprise him of the situation and take a call on the curb on slaughter.
It was in 2013 that the Congress Government reversed the then BJP Government’s amendment to the 1964 Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act passed by both the Houses making punishment for cattle slaughter more stringent.
Siddaramaiah had then protested the legislation saying that it would affect the livelihood of people engaged in cattle transportation and impact those who ate beef. The amendment, however, did not receive Presidential assent.
Karnataka Agriculture Produce Marketing Regulation Act, 1966, allows sale of cattle, sheep, poultry in APMC yards. There is no restrictions on the sale of cattle for any purpose. If the new law is imposed, the State Government must take steps to regulate the sale of cattle in APMCs and shandies (weekly gathering) in the State.
According to the prevailing law which is five decades old, milch cows and calves cannot be slaughtered. Section 15 of the Act extends protection to Government officials who are assigned to execute the cow protection law. The gaurakshaks in the State used to take refuge in the old law but the State Government warned that no institution or individuals can take law into their hands in the name of cow protection.
However, Union Environment Ministry has said the new rules banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of bovines, besides ensuring their welfare.
The statement of the Ministry came days after it notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, banning the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.
It said the rules will ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area and water supply for the cattle.
“The basic purpose of the rules is to ensure the welfare of the animals in the cattle markets and ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area, water supply, water troughs, ramps, enclosures for sick animals, veterinary care and proper drainage etc.” the Ministry said.
“The prime focus of the regulation is to protect the animals from cruelty and not to regulate the existing trade in cattle for slaughterhouses,” it said.