State to move Supreme Court over cattle trade reins

Minister for animal husbandry and sericulture A Manju on Sunday May 28 said that the state government will approach the Supreme Court if the Centre’s notification on the prevention of cruelty to animals (regulation of livestock markets) rules, 2017, is not withdrawn.

Speaking to reporters Manju said the Centre had not approached any of the state governments and farmers before issuing the notification.He also said that he will suggest chief minister Siddaramaiah to table the issue in Cabinet meeting to discuss its pros and cons.

“We will approach the Central government with a request to withdraw the bill. If it refuses, then we will launch a legal battle,” Manju said."This bill is anti-farmer. It is totally different from the prevention of cow slaughter and cattle preservation act, 1964," he added.

"As per the new bill, the buyer and seller of cattle in open markets should first prove that they are farmers to get certificates of the animals from veterinarians. Why will a farmer sell the cattle if it can be used for cultivation? ” he asked.