‘Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan' Bill, 2015 - Details

‘Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan' Bill, 2015

Question - State governments are passing legislation based on localised concerns. Discuss the details of the recent bill on cow protection passed in Haryana.

Following Maharashtra, the next state to implement a stringent ban on the sale of beef is Haryana.
As per the law for the protection and upkeep of cows, Haryana has passed the Haryana 'Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan' Bill, 2015.

• This Bill places a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state

• It also makes provision for rigorous imprisonment from 3 to 10 years for killing cows

• The bill also provides a fine from INR 30,000 to 1 lakh

• In case there is a default in the payment of fine, a convict will have to undergo an additional year in jail

• Bill also states that no person should export or cause cows to be exported for slaughter either through an agent, servant or any other person acting on this behalf in opposition to the provisions of the bill

• The fine for engaging in export of cows for slaughter may also extend to INR 70,000

• Exports of cows for slaughter also carried a jail term of 3 to 7 years

• Canned beef is also covered by the ban

• The bill also holds that no one should offer for sale or cause beef/beef products to be sold except for medicine purposes and as prescribed

• Exception is the issue of special permits for exports of cow in matters of public interest

• The bill has also said that vehicles used for commission of offence should be taken by police officers not below the rank of sub-inspector or a person authorised by the government for this

• Bill also provides that state governments should establish labs for differentiation of beef from meat of other species of animals and testing as well as identification of constituents of milk plus milk products

• For sale of beef, jail term will be 3 to 5 years and a fine of INR 30,000 to 50,000

Facts and Stats

• Bill was moved by the State Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister O.P. Dhankar

• The bill banning the sale of beef in Haryana was passed on March 14th 2015

• Purpose of the new law is the prohibition of the slaughter of cows and development of new indigenous breeds of cows

• The bill also envisages the establishment of institutions to take care of stray, non-productive, infirm or injured cows

• Government also aims to provide financial as well as technical support to these institutions

• Through this act, the government will also promote the projects and programmes for cow conservation and protection

• The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act 1955 was earlier applicable to Haryana before the passage of this act

• There are a total of 18 lakh cows in Haryana

• Haryana is also home to 400 Gaushalas

• Of the total number of cows, 1.17 lakh cows belong to the Rani breed

• For the trial, the burden of proving innocence rests with the accused