Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020): BS Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government has triggered a enormous controversy by passing a single of the stringent anti-cow slaughter laws in the nation. The bill, which is a revised version of what chief minister Yediyurappa attempted in his earlier tenure, seeks to place a full ban on cow slaughter in the state. The bill has been passed by the assembly but but to be cleared in the Council. The government has stated that it will bring an ordinance to get the bill in impact.
Anti-cow slaughter Bill – Definition and punishment
The bill gives for punishment of not significantly less than 3 years and maximum up to seven years in case a individual is discovered indulging in illegal transportation, smuggling, atrocities and slaughtering of cattle in Karnataka. What stands out in the bill is not just the length of punishment but the definition of ‘cattle’ in the law. Under the new law, buffalo has also been integrated in the definition of ‘cattle’. So if any one is caught though smuggling or slaughtering a cow, calf of a cow, bullock, and buffalo under the age of thirteen years that individual will face 3-seven years of imprisonment with a penalty among Rs 50,000 to 5 lakh for the initially offence.
For the second or consequent offence, the penalties will be among Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Under the bill, sub-inspector ranked officers or a competent authority will have the energy to carry out search operations at premises and seize cattle and components made use of or intended to use to commit the offence. And the seizures will then be reported just before the SDM.
Why is Congress protesting against the Bill?
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah stated that the anti-cow slaughter bill was not just harsh and unscientific but also against the interests of farmers. He stated if the BJP was genuinely interested, it really should have instituted socio-financial study and the report could have been presented in front of the public for their opinion just before taking the selection. The senior Congress leader stated just before taking the selection to ban cow slaughter, the Yediyurappa government really should contemplate acquiring all unproductive cattle or the government really should reimburse farmers to appear immediately after the cattle.
In a series of tweets, the former chief minister cited a survey in which it is estimated that 3.4 male calf is born each and every year and about 3.5 crore cattle will attain reproductive age each and every year. He stated if the typical lifespan of a bull is 10 years then there will be 34 crore bull in the subsequent 10 years, and more than 6 crore cows will cease creating milk each and every year. He also pointed out that Rs one hundred is required each and every day to appear immediately after a single cow which performs out at Rs 36,500 per annum.
The former chief minister, at present leader of the Opposition in assembly, stated that a study has discovered that close to 5 lakh acre land and Rs 10 lakh crore is required for infrastructure improvement to appear immediately after unproductive cattle. He continued that the cattle census held final year showed that there are 84,69,004 cattle in Karnataka. “More than 2.76 crore ton of feed is needed to support the cattle but we have only 1.49 crore tons. How will the BJP government address this shortage?” the Congress leader asked. He additional stated that Karnataka witnessed drought in 15 out of the final 20 years and farmers had sold their cattle when there was no harvest and feed. In such circumstances, he asked, how will farmers be in a position to sell if the bill is passed.
The former chief minister stated that there are only 159 cow shelter homes in the state to appear immediately after the cattle and the state government has failed to provide feed for the current cattle. He stated that it would be not possible for the government to feed all the cattle if the farmers choose to send them to cow shelters.