SHILLONG: The State Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution brought by the State Government asking the Centre to immediately withdraw the cattle slaughter rules.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who moved the resolution, was supported by all members of the House cutting across party lines.
While moving the resolution, the chief minister said the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest And Climate Change on May 23 this year notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 201 7, which has “serious shortcomings and infirmities” having an adverse impact on the economy and culture of Meghalaya.
“The House takes strong note of the shortcomings and infirmities in these rules as notified and resolves that the same may be withdrawn by the Government of India with immediate effect so as to maintain the federal and secular character of our Constitution or be faced with a situation where law prohibits some activity while everyday life practices it on a large scale, due to harsh economic realities, a situation, surely to be avoided at all costs,” the resolution said.
Later, summing up the resolution on the matter, Sangma said the government will pursue with the Centre to withdraw the notification and going beyond the resolution, the government has multiple options to follow up the matter.
“When the rights of the people are affected, the Constitution provides necessary options before them to restore their rights,” he said.
Earlier, the chief minister said the Centre’s notification will adversely affect the North East.
He said the subjects such as agriculture, animal husbandry including cattle market, are covered under items 14, 15 and 28 of the List-Il of VII Schedule to the Constitution of India, over which the States alone has exclusive jurisdiction to legislate upon.
According to the chief minister, Rule 8 of the Centre’s notification – which prohibits setting up of animal market in a place which is situated within 25 km from any state border or within 50 km from any international border – will affect Meghalaya that shares 443 km long international border with Bangladesh and about 800 km of inter-state border with Assam.
Sangma pointed out that this prohibition will result in large-scale disruption of economy and livelihood in border areas since Rule 2 (e) specifically defines ‘cattle’ as bovine animals, bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers, calves and camels.
The resolution also highlighted that Rule 22 places restrictions on sale and purchase of cattle and specifically prohibits bringing of a cattle to animal market for sale for slaughter and further mandates that the purchaser of a cattle will not sell the animal for purpose of slaughter, “which is a major embargo crippling the economy of a predominantly tribal society with more than 85 per cent indigenous population”.
He said poor farmers who rear cattle for various purposes will be affected by the Centre’s stand.
The resolution said cattle meat is an integral part of the dietary habits of the tribal populace of Meghalaya since it is rich in minerals and is one of the cheap sources of protein, especially for the economically weaker section of the tribal society.
Shortage of beef supply
The demand for beef across Meghalaya is 23,634 metric tonnes as per 2015-16 data, while beef production in the State is only 12,834 metric tonnes and 10,800 metric tonnes are imported, the chief minister said.
He said to balance the demand and supply of beef, the State Government has put in place ‘Meghalaya State Livestock Mission for 2017 -2022’ to augment livestock production to meet the increasing demand. The present rules impact the growing livestock economy adversely.
He pointed out that the prohibition on sale and purchase of cattle for the purpose of slaughter will not only affect the livelihood of over 5.7 lakh households i.e. 79 per cent census households, which are presently involved in cattle rearing, but will also affect the right of people to have diet of their own choice and celebrate religious, cultural and social ceremonies under practice since times immemorial.
Sangma said the Indian health report on nutrition 2015, which surveyed child under nutrition in India (38.7 per cent is the national average), has put the prevalence of stunted growth in children under five years of age at 42.9 per cent in Meghalaya.
“The government is addressing the nutrition security by providing a mixed diet, in the school mid-day meal basket, which lacks non-vegetarian sources of food,” he said.
The chief minister, however, said as a responsible State it “fully supports the intent of the Act to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”.
He said to ensure implementation of the Act in its true letter and spirit, Meghalaya in 2016 had already constituted the State Animal Welfare Board and District Society for Prevention of cruelty to Animals in all the 11 districts.
Sangma added that these rules in its present form will severely hamper socio-economic, cultural and religious rights of the people of the State guaranteed in the Constitution under Articles 21 and 26.
