BANGALORE: The cabinet on Friday decided to withdraw The Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and 2012 and restore the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.
The plan to withdrawing the bill was one of the first announcements made by Siddaramaiah after taking charge as chief minister in May.
After the decision, law minister TB Jayachandra said the 1964 Act also governs the slaughter of cattle and there was no complaint on this Act. According to him, there’s no need for a legislation to withdraw the two bills passed by the previous BJP government.
Repealing some sections in the 1964 Act, the BJP government in 2010 and 2012 had amended it. However, both Bills are yet to get clearance. While the 2010 Bill has been pending with the Centre, the 2012 one has with the governor.
By amending the 1964 Act, BJP had enlarged the definition of cattle, made punishment harsher and increased the age of animal to be slaughtered. The Congress opposed the bill and even petitioned the governor not to give his assent. As opposition leader, Siddaramaiah had argued that it affected beef eaters and people involved in transportation of cattle, leather industry and meat packaging industry.
According to the amendments, slaughter of cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock, buffalo male or female and calf of she-buffalo was prohibited. Only animals aged 15 years or above could be slaughtered, that too after obtaining permission from the competent authority.
The 1964 Act was restricted to the slaughter of cows, calf or she-buffaloes, but allowed slaughter of bulls, bullocks and buffaloes if they were over 12 years or they were no longer fit for breeding or did not give milk.
