Labelling the Centre’s move as ‘unconstitutional’, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has challenged the new legislation brought by Central government regarding the ban on cattle slaughter.
In a press conference in Kolkata, she said that West Bengal will neither accept the move as they are not bound by it. She called it a move that will demoralize or destroy the federal structure of India.
According to her, it is unnecessarily imposing of Centre’s writ in Bengal. She said that the law is very clear as per constitution and the Centre has no right to dictate terms to states with respect to List 2 of Seventh Schedule.
On Saturday, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Harsh Vardhan, said that the ministry has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 to ensure that the sale of cattle is not meant for slaughtering.
“Aim of the rules is very specific. It is only to regulate the animal market and the sale of cattle in these markets, and ensuring welfare of cattle dealt in market. And the rule provides for a strict animal monitoring committee and an animal market committee at the local level,” Vardhan said. He added that both the seller and buyer have to ensure that cattle is not been bought or sold for slaughter purposes.
“An undertaking to this effect has to be given to the member secretary of the animal market committee from the seller as well as the buyer,” Vardhan added. As per the notification, cattle is defined as, “bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers and calves and camels”. The rules also state that the purchaser will not sacrifice the animal for any religious purpose, or sell it to someone outside the state without permission.
