<p>Punjab will soon have a ‘cow memorial’ — a monument of sorts that the government says will remind everyone of the state’s resolve to protect the cow.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday announced to set up a memorial for cows. The decision comes just days after nearly 25 carcasses of slaughtered cows were found near a factory in Mansa district of Punjab. <br /><br />The incident had evoked strong religious sentiments from the Akali Dal-BJP ruled state, with people losing temper and burning down the factory where animal bones were crushed for supplying to drug manufacturing firms. <br /><br />The cow memorial will come up at the site of the factory where the carcasses were found.<br /><br />Punjab is one of the first few states in the country to enact a law for cow protection, making an offence punishable with imprisonment up to 10 years. <br /><br />Under this law, even a person connected in any way with the sale of a cow purportedly for slaughter would also be liable for penal action and imprisonment as per the provisions of the Act. <br /><br />Cases of this nature have already been initiated against 270 people in the state.<br />Badal has also asked Director General of Police SS Saini to thoroughly probe all cases pertaining to cow slaughter pending at different levels to ensure strict punishment. A delegation of various Hindu organisations led by Punjab Gau Sewa Board Chairman Kimti Bhagat had called on Badal on Tuesday evening. <br /><br />Badal had said the state government will acquire the factory premises to set up the memorial. “This will send a strong signal to all those involved in such illegal trade,” Badal said.<br /><br />The government may also create a legal cell to take up cases of cow slaughter in Punjab, besides exemption of stamp fee on purchase of land for gaushalas and VAT on material purchased for such facilities.<br /><br />A source said Badal will take up the issue with the Centre for getting small power plants in gaushalas sanctioned as is being done in neighbouring Haryana.<br /></p>
<p>Punjab will soon have a ‘cow memorial’ — a monument of sorts that the government says will remind everyone of the state’s resolve to protect the cow.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday announced to set up a memorial for cows. The decision comes just days after nearly 25 carcasses of slaughtered cows were found near a factory in Mansa district of Punjab. <br /><br />The incident had evoked strong religious sentiments from the Akali Dal-BJP ruled state, with people losing temper and burning down the factory where animal bones were crushed for supplying to drug manufacturing firms. <br /><br />The cow memorial will come up at the site of the factory where the carcasses were found.<br /><br />Punjab is one of the first few states in the country to enact a law for cow protection, making an offence punishable with imprisonment up to 10 years. <br /><br />Under this law, even a person connected in any way with the sale of a cow purportedly for slaughter would also be liable for penal action and imprisonment as per the provisions of the Act. <br /><br />Cases of this nature have already been initiated against 270 people in the state.<br />Badal has also asked Director General of Police SS Saini to thoroughly probe all cases pertaining to cow slaughter pending at different levels to ensure strict punishment. A delegation of various Hindu organisations led by Punjab Gau Sewa Board Chairman Kimti Bhagat had called on Badal on Tuesday evening. <br /><br />Badal had said the state government will acquire the factory premises to set up the memorial. “This will send a strong signal to all those involved in such illegal trade,” Badal said.<br /><br />The government may also create a legal cell to take up cases of cow slaughter in Punjab, besides exemption of stamp fee on purchase of land for gaushalas and VAT on material purchased for such facilities.<br /><br />A source said Badal will take up the issue with the Centre for getting small power plants in gaushalas sanctioned as is being done in neighbouring Haryana.<br /></p>
