Assam passes bill to prevent cattle smuggling to Bangladesh

Indian state Assam has passed a bill to stop cattle smuggling to Bangladesh and put an end to cow slaughter in the state.

The Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Assam Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on December 23, reports The Shillong Times.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing the House on the fourth day of the winter session, said that the amendment bill had to be brought to prevent cattle smuggling to Bangladesh through the districts bordering the neighbouring country.

Sarma, however, assured that there would be no restrictions on cattle rearing for farming purposes,

He said, “We are not putting any restrictions on cattle rearing for farming purposes. We are only against any form of cruelty and as such looking to put an end to cow slaughter in the state.”

The chief minister further said that the state would aim at augmenting milk production in association with the National Dairy Development Board and improving the dairy sector which would also pave the way for economic growth.

The Assam government had proposed amendments to the cattle preservation act to remove “certain existing restrictions”, four months after the legislation was passed during the budget session of the Assembly this year.

The amendments that were proposed on the opening day of the Assembly session included a proposal to allow inter-district transportation of cattle for agriculture and animal husbandry purposes.