Prez assent to Haryana's cow protection Bill

Chandigarh, Nov 12: President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to Harayana's cow slaughter Bill which was passed by the state Assembly earlier this year, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today.

With the 'Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill' turning into a law, cow slaughter in Haryana will now attract a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to 10 years. "The bill has come into force in the form of a law with immediate effect," Khattar said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised by 'Vishwakarma Sabha Haryana' on the occasion of Vishwakarma Diwas at Meham in Rohtak district, according to an official release. Khattar said that under the provisions of the new law, cow trafficking, slaughtering and eating beef are banned in the state.

"Many states have congratulated Haryana for this initiative," he said. Notably, for "protection and upkeep" of cows, Haryana Assembly had in March this year passed the 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.

Earlier, Khattar announced a slew of incentives for the people of Meham during his first visit to the area after becoming Chief Minister over a year back.

The chief minister announced a HUDA Sector and construction of affordable houses for the people of the area under Affordable Housing Scheme of the state government.

He said HUDA Sector would be developed at Meham and as per the demand of the people of the area, four storey houses would be constructed under Affordable Housing Scheme at a rate of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per square feet. He said that the state government has a target of construction of one lakh affordable houses in Haryana by 2022.

PTI