State may move SC over cattle trade curbs

Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture A Manju on Sunday said the state government would approach the Supreme Court if the Centre’s notification on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, is not withdrawn.

Addressing reporters here, Manju said the Centre had not approached any of the state governments and farmers before issuing the notification. The minister said he would suggest Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to table the issue in Cabinet meeting to discuss its pros and cons. “We will approach the Union government asking it to withdraw the bill. If the Centre refuses, we would launch a legal battle,” Manju said.

Describing the bill as anti-farmer, he said the new bill is totally different from the Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964. As per the new bill, the buyer or seller of cattle in open markets should first prove that they are farmers to get certificates of the animals from veterinarians. “Why will a farmer sell the cattle if it can be used for cultivation,” he asked.