After Maharashtra, now Haryana Assembly passes Bill banning cow slaughter

Chandigarh, Mar 16: Haryana Assembly tonight 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.

The house passed the 'Gau Sanrakshan Avm Gau Samwardhan Bill 2015' which also provides for a fine ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs one lakh.

In case of default in payment of the fine, the convict will have to undergo another one year Rigorous Imprisonment,

according to the Bill moved by state Animal Husbandry Minister O P Dhankar.

The Bill was passed by voice vote. Speaking on the Bill, Dhankar said that Haryana was promulgating the toughest laws against cow slaughter in the country.

"The law has been framed after studying the laws of different states," he said. Dhankar also said that the vehicle used for transporting cow would be impounded by a police officer not below the rank of Sub Inspector or any other officer authorised by the state government.

The minister had earlier said that there are about three lakh cows in 400 gaushalas across the state. Apart from this, about 1.5 lakh are stray cows and 18 lakh cows are being reared by people in their houses.

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 which was legal during the tenure of previous state government," an official release quoting the Minister had said.

PTI