The Punjab government on Sunday paved the way for the revival of bullock cart races at the annual Kila Raipur rural sports meet in Ludhiana.
The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, gave its nod to present the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2019’ in the current Budget Session of the State Assembly for enactment.
The bullock cart races were prohibited by the Supreme Court in 2014. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (Central Act 59 of 1960) was enacted to prevent infliction of unnecessary cruelty and suffering on animals.
The Act also recognises the need to exempt the application of its provisions in certain circumstances.
‘Significant role’
An official statement said that the State government has decided to exempt bullock-cart racing in Kila Raipur rural sports event from the provisions of the said Central Act 59 of 1960, in view of the significant role played by the traditional rural sports event and fair, which has been taking place at Kila Raipur (Ludhiana) since the 1930s.
“The government feels the sport also enriches the cultural heritage and tradition of Punjab, while being a great source of entertainment, especially for rural Punjab,” said the statement.
The Cabinet also cleared the presentation of the Budget estimates for 2019-20, along with various accounts and CAG audit reports, in the ongoing budget session of the Assembly.
