Assam assembly clears amendments to make cattle protection bill more stringent

Mangalore Today News Network

Guwahati, Dec 24, 2021: The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the amendment bill for modification of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, paving the way for a more stringent legislation.

 

The Assam Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to make several modifications in the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 which was passed in August this year.

The proposed amendments pertain to certain provisions of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 with a view to remove certain existing restrictions with the aim to facilitating utilisation of cattle for animal husbandry and agricultural purpose, and allowing inter-district movement of cattle except in border districts.

Further, to ensure strict implementation of the penal provisions of the Act, the bill seeks to introduce new provisions regarding investigation procedure.

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said the amendment bill has brought two major changes in the existing legislation.

“One amendment is that, the appropriate court on being approached by the police officer, having the authority of seizure under sub-section (3) of Section 11(10), may make such order for sale the seized vehicle/conveyance including boat, vessel etc., except cattle, through public auction, after being produced before the appropriate court during any inquiry or trial,” he said.

“Another amendment is that sometimes, because of creation of new districts, our district boundaries are overlapped, so we are also allowing intra-state movement of cattle except in border districts,” added CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In the assembly, the Assam chief minister said his government is looking to put an end to cow slaughter in the state.

“We have brought the amendment to allow intra-state movement, but not allow to the border districts,” Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Assam Chief Minister informed the assembly that in recent times, 406 cattle smuggling cases have been registered at different police stations in Assam. Police have also seized 2808 cattle heads, arrested 240 persons and seized 68 vehicles.

“During the period, 1 person killed in police action and five others injured while they tried to flee from police custody,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He also mentioned that the government plans to introduce measures to boost milk production in the state.

“We have discussed with the National Dairy Development Board and aim to produce 10 lakh litres of milk in Assam daily. We will ready a project of Rs 1400 crore for it,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Courtesy:India Today