After Maha, Haryana govt to introduce Bill on banning cow slaughter

Chandigarh, Mar 8: Haryana Agriculture Minister Om Parkash Dhankar today said that the state is all set to introduce a Bill for "protection and upkeep" of cows in Budget Session of the Assembly beginning tomorrow.

In the proposed 'Govansh Sanrakashan and Gau Samvardhan (Cow Protection and Cow Conservation and Development) Bill' efforts will be made to ban cow slaughter and for conservation and better care of indigenous cattle, he said.

"For the scientific test and analysis, government is considering to establish laboratories to differentiate beef from meat of that of other animal species. Test reports of these laboratories will be valid evidence in the court of law," Dhankar said adding that sale of packaged beef has been banned in the state.

The minister noted that there were some 3,000 cows in the state in 400 cow shelters run by NGOs. Besides, some 1.5 lakh cows roam in fields or streets. He said that the existing cow sheds will be upgraded and made self-sufficient.

"Special efforts will be taken for availability of Beta — Carotene and A-2 milk protein in the milk of indigenous cows which are beneficial for control of diabetes and cholesterol in human beings and also known for better digestibility.

"The focus will also be on establishing a brand for the milk of indigenous cows and ensuring A-2 milk at remunerative prices," Dhankar said.

The state will provide financial and technical support to cow welfare organisations like Gaushalas, Gau-Grah, Gau-Abhyaranya, Gau-Sadan, Gokul Gram that are engaged in maintenance and care of sick, injured, stray and uneconomic cows, he said.

"The government will take necessary steps to provide incentives for marketing and processing of milk from indigenous cows," he added.

PTI