BENGALURU: The buzz about a bill against cow slaughter has sparked animated discussion about the upcoming seven-day winter session of the Karnataka legislature, otherwise expected to be a low-key, bland affair clouded by the pandemic. The session will be held from Dec 7 to 15, reports Sandeep Moudgal.
On Friday, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi said he has urged animal husbandry minister Prabhu Chavan to introduce the anti-cow slaughter bill in the upcoming session.
WINTER SESSION
‘Bill in nascent stage’
Cow Slaughter Ban will be a reality in Karnataka in the near future,” CT Ravi tweeted, referring to the ‘Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter & Preservation of Cattle Bill’ passed by the cabinet.
Sources in the animal husbandry department, however, suggest that the bill is in its nascent stage and may not come up in the winter session.
Senior cabinet ministers said the proceedings are likely to be relaxed, with the opposition set to get more time. “The opposition had cried foul last time, suggesting that we did not allow them to raise issues. They are now welcome to make the best use of the session,” said a minister. However, with no set agenda or intent to bring any heavy-duty legislation, many lawmakers may play it safe, given the prevailing risk of Covid infection. The state government is likely to present the farm bills which failed to get the sanction of the upper house last time.
Yet another reason for the session to see little participation is the possibility of byelections to the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat and two assembly seats (Maski and Basavakalyan) being announced for late next month.
Earlier attempts
In 2010, the then Yediyurappa government had brought a complete ban on slaughter, transportation, sale and consumption of beef in Karnataka. It was repealed by the Siddaramaiah government in 2013-14, and the 1964 act, restricted to banning slaughter of cows, calves and shebuffaloes, was restored.