`The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021’ to remove certain existing restrictions

Guwahati, Dec 20: The BJP-led Assam government on Monday moved the ‘The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021,’ in the first day of Winter Session of Assam Assembly to remove certain existing restrictions with an aim of facilitating utilisation of cattle for animal husbandry and agricultural purposes.
The Bill was laid in the House by Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The original legislation to regulate the slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle in the
state was passed in the Assembly on August 13.
The amendments also proposes to “ensure strict implementation of the penal provisions of the
Act” and therefore, new provisions regarding investigation procedure have been proposed.
The proposed amendment bill seeks to scrap the provision in the main act wherein the state government was authorized to exempt certain places of worship or certain occasions for slaughter
of cattle other than calf, and cow for religious purposes.
It also seeks to allow transport of cattle from one district to another within the state by issuing
permits to agencies and farms registered under the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department.
However, transport of cattle to any district within the state that has international boundary is
sought to be prohibited through the amendment bill.