From Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : The Assam Cabinet has approved a proposed bill for cow protection in the state. The Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Cattle Protection Bill in the Budget Session of the State Assembly beginning July 12. This information was given by minister and state government spokesperson Piyush Hazarika on Thursday. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Water Resources Minister Hazarika said that the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma approved the repeal of the existing Assam Cattle Protection Act, 1950 and replacing it with the ‘Assam Cattle Protection Bill, 2021’ in the House during the upcoming Assembly session.
The government’s plan to propose the bill was first announced by Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi in May. Governor Mukhi had also referred to the proposed bill while addressing the inaugural session of the 15th Assam Assembly on May 22. He had said that a policy of non-tolerance will be followed and the culprits will be severely punished. Mukhi had said, “The move is aimed at curbing illegal animal trafficking along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam. Hazarika said, “The proposed bill will provide for a complete ban on cattle being transported outside the state. The government has decided to bear the full cost of the trial of officers who face litigation due to their action to protect the border. Hazarika said, “We had already announced it but now the Cabinet has formally approved it.
