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Fitness certificate, no public slaughter: Bengal Government tightens animal law
The notice stated that violations of the provisions could result in imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.
A Pune-based Muslim organisation has demanded that the cow be declared India’s national animal, arguing the move could help curb mob lynching and communal tensions linked to cow protection. (Source: File)
The West Bengal Government Wednesday issued fresh directions for the strict enforcement of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, banning animal slaughter in public places and making fitness certificates mandatory before slaughter.
The notice, issued by the state Home and Hill Affairs Department, said the directions were being issued in compliance with an August 16, 2018, order of the Calcutta High Court. “This is to inform all concerned that the following provisions/instructions are to be followed strictly,” the notice, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, read.
The notice stated that no animal could be slaughtered without certification that it was fit for slaughter.
“No person shall slaughter any animal, thereby meaning (Bulls, Bullocks, Cows, Calves, Male and Female Buffaloes, Buffalo Calves and Castrated Buffaloes), unless he has obtained in respect thereof a certificate that the animal is fit for slaughter,” said the notice.
The Government of West Bengal’s modified notification on slaughter rules.
It also clarified who is authorised to issue such certificates.
“The Chairman of a Municipality or the Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti and a Government Veterinary Surgeon may issue a joint certificate regarding fitness of an animal for slaughter, if they are both of the opinion to be recorded in writing that the animal is over 14 years of age for work or breeding or the animal has become permanently incapacitated due to age, injury, deformity or any incurable disease”.
The notice added: “In case of refusal to issue such a certificate, the aggrieved person may prefer an appeal to the State Government within 15 days of communication of such refusal”.
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The government further said slaughter could only take place at designated facilities and “shall be strictly prohibited in any open public place”
“An animal, in respect of which a certificate has been issued, shall be slaughtered only in a Municipal Slaughter House or any other Slaughter House identified by the local administration,” the notice added.
Warning of legal consequences, the notice stated that violations of the provisions could attract imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both, and that all offences under the 1950 Act are cognisable.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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