The state government's plans to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter should warm the hearts of Hindu.
Home minister V S Acharya told reporters the government would do away with the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act, 1964, and bring in a re-drafted Act.
He cited Article 48 of the Constitution which prohibits cow slaughter. Though the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act, 1964 prohibits cow slaughter, it allows slaughter if a person obtains a certificate from the competent authority. This authority issues certificate if the animal is over 12 years old, permanently incapacitated for breeding, draught or giving milk due to injury, deformity or any other cause.
"As ours is an agrarian country, the Constitution provides for cow protection. The new Act will fulfil the spirit of the Constitution which bans cow slaughter. The existing law in the state has some lacunae. The new law will have clarity,'' the home minister said after meetings with animal husbandry minister Revunaik Belamagi and law minister S Suresh Kumar.
Acharya said nine states in the country had completely banned cow slaughter. During the January 2009 legislature session at Belgaum, the government had tabled a Bill which holds transportation of cows illegal.
Currently, in case of violation of the state's 1964 Act, the violator is punished with imprisonment for up to six months or a fine, or both. Once the draft of the Act is ready, it has to be approved by the state cabinet and by the legislature.
ARTICLE 48
Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry'
The State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
TNN / 3 July 2009
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