Presidential assent for Kambala Bill

All the hurdles for resuming Kambala — the traditional slush-track buffalo race of the coastal districts — are cleared with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, finally getting Presidential assent on Monday.

The Legislative Assembly passed the Bill in February 2017 to put the traditional sport out of the ambit of PCA Act. Governor Vajubhai R. Vala then referred the Bill to the President for his assent.

In April, the Union Home Ministry suggested modifications to the Bill and returned it to the State. It wanted the government to modify or omit the phrase “subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed”, which would open the window for inclusion of more such sports.