The legislative department of the Ministry of Law and Justice of the Central Government has proposed The Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation, 2021 which stipulates complete ban on slaughter of cow, calf, bull and bullock in Lakshadweep. The maximum punishment is life imprisonment.
In addition, provisions banning sale, storage and transportation of beef and derivative products have been added.
In this regard, public comments have been invited on the draft of the Lakshadweep Animal Preservation Regulation, 2021. The last day of sending comments via registered post or email is 28th March, 2021.
The regulations mandate that a certificate shall be issued by a competent authority for the slaughter of any animal and it has been further provided in section 5(2) that no certificate shall be granted for the slaughter of cow, calf, bull or bullock.
Section 5(2) reads as:
“No certificate under sub-section (1) shall be granted in respect of—
(a) a cow;
(b) the calf of a cow, whether male or female and if male, whether castrated or not;
(c) a bull;
(d) a bullock”
Violation of this provision will be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to imprisonment for life but shall not be less than ten years and with fine which may extend to Rs 5 lakh but shall not be not less than Rs. 1 lakh.
Section 7 of the regulation prohibits the transport of animals mentioned in 5(2) for the purpose of slaughter and Section 8 seeks to impose ban on beef products.
Section 8(1) reads:
(1) No person shall directly or indirectly sell, keep, store, transport, offer or
expose for sell or buy beef or beef products in any form.
(2) Whenever any person transports or causes to be transported the beef or
beef products, such vehicle or any conveyance used in transporting such beef
or beef products alongwith such beef or beef products shall be liable to be
seized by such authority or officer as the Administrator may appoint in this
behalf.
(3) The vehicle or any conveyance so seized under sub-section (2) shall stand
forfeited to Union Territory Administration in the manner as may be
prescribed.
Additionally, the offences under this regulation are cognizable and non-bailable.
Read the Draft Regulation here:
