Shillong: Meghalaya Assembly today in a special session passed a resolution against ban on cattle sale and slaughter demanding the Centre to immediately withdraw the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017. Tabling the Government Official Resolution during the Special Session of the Assembly , Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said the above rules travel way beyond the scope and object ‘to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals’ as set out in the Preamble of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, thus infringing upon the rights of the States, to regulate items enlisted in the State list (List-II of VI Scheduled to Constitution of India).
He further stated that subjects such as agriculture, animal husbandry, including cattle market, are covered under items 14, 15 & 28 of the List II of VII Scheduled of the Constitution, over which the States alone have exclusive jurisdiction to legislate upon adding that the rules notified by the Centre are in contravention of Section 38 as they go beyond the scope of Central Act and also contravene Section 28 of the said Act, which contemplates the killing if certain animals subject to the provisions of Cattle Preservation Act. “Rule 8 of these rules prohibits organising of animal market in a place which is situated within 50 kms from any international border, while the State of Meghalaya shares a 443 kms long international border with Bangladesh and a length of about 8000 kms of inter-state border with the state of Assam.
According to the chief minister, cattle meat is an integral part of the dietary habits of the tribal populace of the State of Meghalaya since it is rich in mineral and is one of the cheap sources of protein especially for the economically weaker section of the society. “The demand for beef across the State is around 23634 metric tonnes (figures for the year 2015-2016).
The beef production within the State is only 12834 metric tonnes and the rest of the demand to the tune of 10800 metric tonnes is imported from outside the State,” he said. Dr Mukul said that the prohibition on sale and purchase of cattle for the purpose of slaughter will affect the livelihood of over 5.7 lakh households.
Stating Meghalaya as a responsible State support the intent of the Act, he said to ensure the true implementation of the Act in letter and spirit, the State of Meghalaya in 2016 had already constituted the State Animal Welfare Board, District Society for Prevention of cruelty on Animals in all the 11 districts of the State. While appreciating the State Government for bringing this official resolution, NPP legislator , James K Sangma said that there is no need to panic since the issue to regulate cow slaughter lies with the State Government.
NPP is an ally of NDA at the centre. “This rules notified by the Centre will not stand in the court of law since it will be immediately struck down if anyone decides to approach the court,” Mr Sangma said. (UNI)
