President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill which now makes the slaughter of bulls and bullocks illegal.
India is one of World’s largest exporters of Beef
Anyone found selling red meat or in possession of it can be jailed for 5 years and fined Rs 10,000.
“Thanks a lot Hon President Sir for the assent on Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill. Our dream of ban on cow slaughter becomes a reality now,†Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.
This new law would work in addendum to existing Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976 which governs the slaughter of cattle in the state. Under the old Act, Slaughter of cows (includes a heifer or male or female calf of a cow) was totally prohibited. However, it allowed Slaughter of bulls, bullocks and buffaloes by obtaining a “fit-for-slaughter certificate”. In major cities like Mumbai, many illegal slaughterhouses operate.
India produced 3.643 million metric tons of beef in 2012, of which 1.963 million metric tons was consumed domestically and 1.680 million metric tons was exported. India ranks 5th in the world in beef production, 7th in domestic consumption and 1st in exporting.
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(Ventuno)