Gujarat cleared a new bill on Friday calling for severe punishment against those who kill cows in the state. Gujarat Animal Preservation (amendment) – Bill 2017 was passed by the majority votes in the absence of opposition members. The amendment bill makes the law stricter and provides for harsher punishment and higher penalties to prevent cow slaughter in the state.
The minimum jail term for illegal ferrying of cows for slaughter has been raised from 7 to 10 years against the current provision of 3 to 7 years. The monetary penalty has also been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Further, the proposed amendment bill also allows police to acquire the forfeited vehicles seized for illegal ferrying of cattle. Earlier, the police had to release the vehicles after six months of filing the FIR. The proposed amendment bill also makes offences under the act cognizable and non-bailable.
Pradipsinh Jadeja, minister of state (MOS), home said that the state government had enacted the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act-1954 for the preservation of milch animals, and for cattle that are suitable for breeding or agricultural purposes. In 2011, the state government had made certain amendments in the law for better implementation of the Act.
"However, it has been noticed that still more stringent provisions are required for curbing illegal slaughter of animals covered under the law," Jadeja said. "The law itself needs to be revised for effectively checking the use of vehicles for transporting animals to slaughter. This can be achieved by amending Section 6A and 6B of the law to allow the government to permanently acquire the vehicle or any means of transport used for carrying cattle, beef or beef products."
