U’khand passes Bill for cow protection

Uttarakhand has passed the cow protection law, under which killing or mistreating a cow and its progeny will invite strict provisions.

Uttarakhand has passed the cow protection law, under which killing or mistreating a cow and its progeny will invite strict provisions.

The state Assembly on Tuesday passed the Uttarakhand Protection of Cow Progeny Bill, 2007, in place of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, which had been adapted by the state after its formation in November 2000. The Bill was passed by a voice vote.

As per the provisions of the new law, a ban has been imposed on the slaughter of cow and its progeny except the animals which are diseased or injured. Anyone found guilty of the offence could invite rigorous imprisonment for a term between three years and 10, apart from a minimum fine of Rs 5,000. This can go up to Rs 10,000. Even for the slaughter of diseased or injured cows, a certificate has to be obtained from the local veterinary officer.

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The new law also bans transportation of cow progeny outside the state without a permit from a competent authority and a Rs 500 fees for every animal. Anyone doing so without it can invite imprisonment of up to three years with a fine of Rs 2,000 per cow, which may go up to Rs 2,500.

A cow owner can also invite punishment for letting his animal roam free in urban areas. He/she has to obtain a registration certificate from local bodies, or can be punished with simple imprisonment of a minimum one week, which may be extended to one month, with or without a fine of a maximum Rs 1,000.