Lok Sabha Question No. 3457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-16
Subject: Illegal Slaughter of Cattle
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3457

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2018

## Illegal Slaughter of Cattle

## 3457.   SHRI J.C. DIVAKAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  rampant  illegal  slaughter  of  cattle  in  the  country  which  are considered  non-productive  to  the  dairy  industry  especially,  male  calves  and  nonproductive cattle;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that in many States, other unwanted cattle are abandoned on roads,  forcing  them  to  fend  for  themselves  after  spending  their  most  productive years, if so, the details thereof and the reasons for prevailing situation in the States along with laws prevailing in each State including State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) the reasons for not taking proper action by the concerned agencies including States, civic bodies and the Animal Welfare Boards for such situation in the form of animal rights abuse; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  protect  animals  particularly  cattle  like cows and calves and prevent cruelty against such animals?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a)  and (b) Complaints relating to rampant illegal slaughter of cattle in the country which are considered non- productive to the dairy industry, especially male calves and nonproductive cattle are not received by the Animal Welfare Board. However, whenever such  sporadic  complaints  are  received,  the  State  law  enforcement  authorities  are requested to take necessary action.

Formulation of policy on slaughter of animals is the State subject on which the State legislature  has  exclusive  powers  to  legislate.  Most  of  the  States  have  already formulated Animal Slaughter Act, in order to regulate slaughtering of animals.

- (c)    It  is  the  responsibility  and  the  mandate  of  the  Panchayat/local  bodies  of  the  State Government for taking action against the persons abandoning their animals on roads.

As per Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty Animals Act, 1960, it shall be the duty of  every  person  having  the  care  or  charge  of  any  animal  to  take  all  reasonable measures  to  ensure  the  well-being  of  such  animal  and  to  prevent  the  infliction  of unnecessary pain or suffering.

As per Section 11(1) (h) of the PCA Act, 1960, it is deemed as cruelty, if any person, being the owner of (any animal) fails  to provide such animal with sufficient food, drink or shelter; and (i) without reasonable cause, abandons  any  animal  in circumstances which tender it likely that it will suffer pain by reason of starvation, thirst; and it is a punishable offense under the PCA Act, 1960. These provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 are to be enforced by the concerned officials  of  the  State  Govt.  and  action  as  per  law  is  to  be  taken  against  those  in violation of laws.

- (d) The  Animal  Welfare  Board  of  India  (AWBI)  is  an  advisory  body  and  provides regular advisories to State and Central Government on the issues related to animal welfare  including  cruelty  meted  out  to  animals.  Wherever  the  number  of  animals sheltered by the animal welfare organizations exceed then it is the responsibility of the  Panchayat  /  Local  Bodies  to  see  that  additional  shelters  are  provided  for sheltering the animals so that they are not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering. Animal  Welfare  Board  takes  action  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  law  if  it  is  not complied with by the concerned State Governments.
- (e) Government of India has enacted the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and has framed various rules under the act to prevent cruelty against animals including cattle like cow and calves.

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