Guwahati News Desk: The Assam government has tabled amendment to the state cattle preservation act, 2021 which proposes to allow inter-district transportation of cattle for agricultural and animal husbandry except in districts sharing international border.
There are as many as eight districts that share borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan. Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary tabled Assam Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in state assembly.
The act regulated the slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle in the state. The proposed ‘The Assam cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021″ seeks to amend certain provisions of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 with a view to remove certain existing restrictions with the aim of facilitating utilization of cattle for animal husbandry and agricultural purposes.
Further, to ensure strict implementation of the penal provisions of the Act, the Bill seeks to introduce new provisions regarding investigation procedure.
Cattle is illegally traded along the international border with Bangladesh. The Assam government enacted the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 in July which stipulated the sale of beef only at designated places, restricting any kind of sale in areas resided by non-beef-eating communities.
According to the Act, “No person shall directly sell or offer or expose for sale or buy beef products in any form except at places permitted to do so by the competent authority. Provided that no such permission shall be granted in such area or areas which are predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain Sikh and other non-beef eating communities or within a radius of 5 km of a temple, satra (monastery) or other religious institutions belonging to Hindu religion or any other institutions or area as may be prescribed by the competent authority.”
The Act provided that every animal committee of recognized animal markets shall issue proof of sale and purchase of animals in the prescribed format to the purchaser and maintain proper record for inspection by the competent authority. The Act states cattle can be slaughtered in Assam only with authorities’ permission and at a licensed slaughter house after government veterinary officers issue fitness certificates. Cows and their calves cannot be killed. Cattle aged above 14 years are permitted to be slaughtered.
The act provided no transportation of cattle will be allowed and no transit of cattle will be allowed into Assam from other states or from it without a permit. A police officer, not below the rank of sub-inspector, and registered veterinary officers may enter and inspect any premises for violations. A police officer or a registered veterinary officer shall have the power to enter and inspect any premises for violations. A police officer or a registered veterinary officer shall have the power to enter and inspect any premises within the local limits of jurisdiction of such persons where he has reason to believe that an offense under this act has been or likely to be committed.
In case of a violation, the accused will not get bail until the public prosecutor has been given an opportunity of being heard on such a petition. If convicted under the new law, a person can be imprisoned for up to eight years and fined up to Rs 5 lakh.