Haryana Second Indian State to Ban Beef Sale
INDIA - A state in North West India has become the second to ban cow slaughter and beef sales, following Maharashtra earlier in the month.
27 March 2015
1 minute read
Haryana's government brought in the measure, Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill, on 16 March.
Those guilty of cow slaughter face a minimum of three years imprisonment, which can be as high as ten. Fines range from $479 to $1600.
The new law, passed with two amendments, will also ban sale of beef, which will be a punishable offence with rigorous imprisonment of not less than three years and up to five years with fines of up to $800.
The law will also promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds of cows and establish institutions to keep, maintain and take care of the infirm, injured, stray and uneconomic cows.
Previously, State agriculture and animal husbandry minister, OP Dhankar said that the law will be more stringent than any other law in the country, but the government will not book people under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code for cow slaughter.
As per an estimate, Haryana has around 300,000 cows in 400 gaushalas (cow sheds) across the state. Other than this, about 150,000 are stray cows and 100,000 cows are being reared by people in their houses.
