Karnataka takes ordinance route to enact anti-Cow slaughter bill

Bengaluru, Dec 28 : Karnataka Cabinet on Monday opted to take the ordinance route to enact the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill (2020) that was passed nearly three weeks in the Assembly after hurriedly tabling it amid opposition protests.
Th contentious bill is also known as the anti-Cow slaughter Bill that will now be sent to the Governor for approval. Once it comes into effect, there will be a blanket prohibition of slaughter of cows in the state.
Seaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting here, Law and parliamentary affairs minister, J. C. Madhuswamy for the first time since the contentious bill was passed in the Assembly three weeks ago clarified that slaughter houses will continue to function and beef consumption will not be prohibited with respect to buffalo meat.
“The anti-cow slaughter law is not new. We have had it for decades. Previously, there was a ban on slaughter of cows until the age of 13. We have extended it with an intention that older cows should not be left out. Since the prohibition does not extend to buffaloes, there is no ban on beef consumption,” he said.
He added that the ordinance is likely to be sent to the Governor within a day for his assent.
The government is also considering building ‘go shalas’ (cow shelters) to ensure that aged cows that stop milching do not become a burden on the farmer, he said.