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Total ban on cow slaughter in UP

The Uttar Pradesh government has imposed a total ban on cow slaughter, it was officially disclosed in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri issued an ordinance to this effect after the state cabinet recommended the step last week.

According to an official spokesman, "Cow slaughter was, so far, permitted against specific permits. Only sick, non-milking and over 15-years-old cows were allowed to be sent to the slaughter house."

Under this arrangement, the local district veterinary officer was empowered to issue the permit after physical verification.

The new ordinance has withdrawn these powers and henceforth, cows, bulls or calves - whether male or female would not be allowed to be sent to the slaughter house.

The edict also imposes major punishment on the offenders of this new law. Anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved in cow slaughter would be liable to imprisonment up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10,000.

With a view to providing some kind of shelter to older cows abandoned by owners, the government was in the process of drawing up a scheme to send all such cattle to voluntary agencies engaged in cow welfare.

It may be pointed out that it was common practice to sell non-milking cows at throwaway prices ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 400 while a male calf would go for even less.

How this ban will affect the thriving leather business, which depends heavily on cow slaughter, remains to be seen.

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