Bill to allow holding of Kambala tabled in Assembly

A Bill to facilitate conducting Kambala and bull race or bullock cart race was introduced in Legislative Assembly on Friday.

The Bill, piloted by Animal Husbandry Minister A Manju, has been brought in at a time when the demand to allow Kambala has been raised after massive movement for Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.

The Bill aims at amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017. The objective is, it says, “The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Central Act 59 of 1960) was enacted to prevent the infliction of unnecessary cruelty and suffering on animals. The Act also recognises the need to exempt the application of its provisions in certain circumstances.”

Considering the significant role played by the traditional sports such as Kambala or bull race or bullock cart race in preserving and promoting tradition and culture among the people of Karnataka and also keeping in mind the vital role of Kambala and bull race in ensuring survival and continuance of native breeds of cattle, the government has decided to exempt the conduct of Kambala and bull race and bullock cart race in the state, the Bill explained.

The Bill said no unnecessary pain or suffering should be caused to animals, by the person in charge of that animal used to conduct Kambala and bull race.

A Bill that seeks to extend the time for disposal of pending applications for regulation of Bagair Hukum lands by two more years was also tabled in the Assembly.

The Karnataka Land Revenue (Amendment) Bill, 2017 proposes to extend the time for disposal of applications by two more years as nearly 3.3 lakh applications were pending across the state.