Karnataka scraps cattle protection commission

Previous BJP government had set up the panel

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs T.B. Jayachandra Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

The Karnataka government on Wednesday abolished the Goseva Ayoga (Cattle Conservation Commission), which was constituted by the BJP regime in 2012.

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to transfer its functions and powers to the Animal Welfare Board of the Animal Husbandry Department.

The previous BJP government had set up the commission to enforce a ban on cow slaughter. The 16-member commission had the authority to ensure protection of cattle.

This comes in the midst of a controversy raging over consumption of beef elsewhere in the country.

Soon after the Congress government came to power in 2013, it removed the non-official members of the commission. The members challenged the government’s decision in the High Court and got a stay.

The stay was recently vacated and the court upheld the government’s decision. Briefing on Cabinet decisions, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra said the Animal Welfare Board has been entrusted with the task of protecting cattle and there was no need for another commission.

The Congress government, last year, repealed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2012, passed during the BJP regime.

The 2012 Bill, proposing to replace the 1964 legislation, had proposed a complete ban on the slaughter of cows and bulls.

JVC for gas project

The Cabinet has taken a decision to float a joint venture company with the support of Gas Authority of India Ltd. for implementing a Dabhol-Bengaluru Natural Gas Pipeline project. Karnataka Natural Gas Ltd., the JVC, will be set up with an investment of Rs. 100 crore. The State government will invest Rs. 24 crore.

The Cabinet has agreed to swap lands with Chettinad Cement Company at Kallur village in Chincholi taluk in Kalaburagi district. The firm will give the government 49.08 acres it acquired from private people and the government in turn will give 47.13 acres of ‘gomal’ (cattle grazing) land. The land given by the firm will be used for gomal purposes.