Cabinet decides to do away with cattle protection panel

The State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to dissolve the Goseva Ayoga or Cattle Conservation Commission constituted by the BJP regime in 2012.

Besides the 16-member commission, the Cabinet also decided to repeal the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention (Constitution of Goseva Ayoga) rules, 2012.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the Animal Welfare Board was already discharging responsibilities for the protection of cattle and there was no requirement for a separate panel.

The Karnataka High Court had also passed an order recently that the appointment of members to the commission was at the pleasure of the State government, Jayachandra said.

The commission has been given the mandate to ensure proper management of cattle at welfare centres, provide financial assistance to them and ensure timely implementation of programmes of the government under the various cattle development schemes.

Legislature session

Jayachandra said a 10-day-long legislature session would be convened during the last week of October or the first week of November.

A comprehensive bill to amend the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, on the lines of Lok Pal, and a bill bringing in amendments to the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, as suggested by a committee headed by former Speaker Ramesh Kumar, would be tabled during the session.

A bill to amend the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, which among others, gives statutory approval for hiking the forest development tax from miners from eight to 12 per cent, would be placed before the legislature. The government is already collecting the tax at 12 per cent through an executive order.

Financial support

Jayachandra said the Cabinet had cleared the ‘Chief Minister’s Self Employment Programme’, wherein 2,000 rural youths would be financially supported to take up self-employment by providing 25 per cent (for men) and 35 per cent (for women) margin money with a maximum investment of Rs 10 lakh each.

The minister said the Cabinet gave its nod for providing government guarantee for D Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation to procure a loan of Rs 30 core from the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation or providing assistance to backward classes beneficiaries.