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For "protection and upkeep" of cows, Haryana Assembly on Monday night passed a Bill which clamps a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state and provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to ten years for killing the animal.
After discussing the Haryana 'Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan' Bill, 2015, which also provides for a fine ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh, for about an hour, the House passed it with voice vote.
As the Bill was passed, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar thanked the members while former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda got up and said the BJP government deserves to be patted for this law.
The new law, which drew support from main opposition INLD, and the Congress, while banning the cow slaughter in the state, provides for prison term not less than 3 years for the offence and may extend to 10 years.
In case of default in payment of the fine the convict would have to undergo another one year jail term.
The bill was moved by State Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister, O P Dhankar, who at the outset said that it was his "good fortune" to present such a bill.
He said the state had brought "country's stringent law" against cow slaughter and also which would ensure protection and upkeep of the animal, which has great reverence in the country since ages.
No person shall export or cause to be exported cow for the purpose of slaughter either directly or through his agent or servant or any other person acting on his behalf in contravention of the provisions of the bill or with the knowledge that it shall be or is likely to be slaughtered, the bill says.
"Anyone who contravenes this provision shall be guilty of an offence punishable with RI for a term not to be less than 3 years and may extend to seven years.”
"And fine which shall not be less than Rs 30,000 and may extend to Rs 70,000. In case of default of payment of fine, additional imprisonment which may extend to one year may be imposed in lieu of fine," the Minister said.
On March 14, Haryana government had imposed a complete ban on the sale of beef in any form in the state.
"The ban covers canned beef also," he said.
The bill provides that no person shall or offer for sale or cause to be sold beef or beef products except for such medicinal purposes and in such form as may be prescribed.
"Whoever contravenes this provision shall be guilty of an offence punishable with RI for a term not less than three years and may extend to five years which shall not be less than Rs 30,000 and may extend to Rs 50,000...," he said.
No permit for export of cows shall be issued for a state where cow slaughter is not banned by law, Dhankar told the House.
However, the government shall have power to issue special permits for export of cow in case where it is of the opinion that it shall be in the "public interest" to do so.
Whenever an offence punishable under this Act has been committed, any vehicle used in the commission of such offence shall be liable to be confiscated by a police officer not below the rank of Sub Inspector or any person authorised by the government on this behalf.