Karnataka cabinet OKs ordinance to prohibit cow slaughter

BENGALURU: The Karnataka cabinet on Monday decided to promulgate an ordinance against cow slaughter soon, but clarified that there will be no curbs on beef consumption in the state.
Sources said the ordinance will be sent to the governor for his nod within a day, and it takes effect immediately.
According to law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy and animal husbandry minister Prabhu Chauhan, the earlier law banned slaughter of cows till age of 13.“We have extended it with an intention that older cows should not be left out. Since the prohibition does not extend to buffaloes aged above 13, there is no ban on beef consumption,” they said.
Govt plans to build shelters for aged cows
The government was forced to take the ordinance route as the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020, passed by the legislative assembly earlier in the month during the winter session, did not win the approval of the council as JD(S) backed out at the last minute.
The cow slaughter ban move has already created ripples among farmers, meat traders and in neighbouring Goa. Karnataka and Maharashtra have been the biggest meat suppliers to Goa. A delegation of meat traders recently met Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant in this regard. Animal husbandry minister Prabhu Chauhan said the new law will go a long way in improving the cow population. Citing the 2019 cattle census, Chauhan said 2.4 lakh cows are slaughtered every year in the state. “Stopping illegal transportation and slaughtering is our priority,” he said.
The government is considering building cow shelters to ensure aged cows do not become a burden on farmers.
The new law proposes up to seven years in jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for offenders. It seeks to ban slaughter of cows and proposes stringent punishment to those who indulge in smuggling, illegal transportation, atrocities on cows and slaughtering them.
Joint session likely to be held on January 18
The customary joint session of the state legislature is likely to be held on January 18. The first session of the New Year will generally be a joint one and the government will address members and list its achievements and future roadmap for the remaining tenure.