Assamchief ministerHimanta Biswa Sarmaon Monday tabled the Assam Cattle PreservationBill, 2021, in the state assembly to regulate slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle, even as the Opposition MLAs staged a walkout over price rise on the first day of the budget session.
After the Bill gets the nod of the assembly, sale, offer or exposure of beef will be prohibited in areas which are predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain,Sikhand other non beef-eating communities. The will also come into effect within a radius of 5km of any temple,satra(Vaishnavite monastery), or other Hindu religious institutions. It also may be applicable to any other institution or areas prescribed by the competent authority.
The Bill, however, brought exemptions for slaughter which is certified by a veterinary officer authorised on this behalf by the State Government in the interest of public Health. Slaughter of cattle suffering from incurable, infectious, contagious disease or is a danger to other cattle has been permitted but with due permission from the authorised veterinary officer.
The already existingAssam Cattle Preservation Act1950, regulates cattle slaughter in Assam, provided concerned veterinary officers give a fit-for-slaughter certificate. Slaughter of cattle that are over 14 years of age is conditionally allowed. The new legislation will repeal the 1950 Act where consumption of beef was not an offence. Besides, the legislation may lead to further intensify the BJP-governments move against cow smuggling toBangladeshwhich is on through the porous international border and riverine areas along the international border for long.