The Gouvansh Sanrakshan and Gousamvardhan Bill 2015 was passed unanimously on Monday by Haryana Assembly and under the new law that was passed with 2 amendments, cow slaughter and sale of beef has been banned in the State of Haryana. As per the new bill, a person who is found guilty of cow slaughter can be rigorously imprisoned for a term not less than 3 years and it may even extend to 10 years with fine from 30,000 to 1 Lakh rupees. In case the convict defaults the payment, he will have to undergo another year in jail term.
As the bill was being passed, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatter thanked members for the supporting the bill, that was passed for protection and upkeep of cows and clamps a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state and said that BJP government deserves a pat for the work they have done. The Bill was moved by State of Animal Husbandry and Diary Development Minister, O P Dhankar, who at the outset said that it was his “good fortune” to present such a Bill. Minister said that such laws brought against cow slaughter would ensure protection of the animal that is revered since ages by the people in the country. Dhankar also said that cow is referred as Goumata (holy) in our country and it has to be protected. He also said that there were 18 lakh cows in Haryana with nearly 400 goushalas out of which 1.17 lakh cows were of Rani Breed.
Bill also provides that no person can sell beef or beef products except for medicinal purposes as prescribed by the law. If any offence that is punishable under this Act has happened then any vehicle that is used to commission of such a crime will also be liable to be confiscated by police officer who is not below the rank of Sub Inspector or any person who has been authorised by the government for this act. This new law also helps in developing indigenous breeds of cows and to establish institutions to keep, maintain and care the infirm, injured, stray cows for which government will provide financial and technical support to the institutions.
Previous Act that was in existence in Haryana was Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act 1955 which proved to be ineffective as conviction rate was quite low. This bill which is brought entails repealing the existing Act and provides stricter penalties for various offences.
by Sushma Javare.