State govts have right to enact law for the protection of cow progeny – Union MoS for Agriculture

New Delhi, 28 July 2014

In a reply to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Parimal Nathwani today Union Minister of State for Agriculture Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan said that as per the figures of animal husbandry and fisheries industries, about 30.40 lakh cows have been slaughtered during the year 2011-12. As of now, 2294 slaughterhouses are functioning in the country.

As per the Article 246(3) of the Constitution, the State Assemblies have right to enact law for the protection of cow progeny, Dr. Baliyan said.

Shri Parimal Nathwani today in Rajya Sabha expressed concern over cow slaughter and cow trafficking. He raised a question related to the ban on cow slaughter, cow trafficking and illegal transport and trade of cows.

Minister of State Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan said that in all there are 2294 slaughterhouses in the country. Rajasthan has the highest 514 slaughterhouses, followed by Maharashtra with 336 and Uttar Pradesh with 254, while Gujarat has 38 abattoirs.

Minister of State added that the government has received information regarding animal trafficking near India-Bangladesh boarder. As per the information available, about 5504 of such instances has taken place in the current year till Jun 30, 2014.