Shillong, July 20:

Brief

– HYC wants Meghalaya to increase its cattle rearing to meet demand

– Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 proposes ban on transportation of cattle even for transit through Assam without permit

– HYC agrees that no cattle should be illegally sold to Bangladesh and other neighbouring nations

Full Report

The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has urged Meghalaya government to take necessary steps to increase cattle rearing in the State as fears have risen following the tabling of the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021.

The Bill proposes a ban over any transportation of cattle even for transit through Assam without permit, sale of beef in areas which are dominantly inhabited by non-beef eating communities and also bans sale of beef or beef products within five kilometre radius of temple or other Hindu religious places. If convicted under this new proposed law, one can be imprisoned for upto 8 years.

A delegation of HYC met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, also Minister in-charge of Animal Husbandary & Veterinary department, and submitted a memorandum on Tuesday.

According to the Organisation, Section 7 of the mentioned Bill is in contravention of the Indian Constitution as “Inter State Trade and Commerce” falls under List 42 of the Union List of the Seventh Scheduled to the Constitution of India and no State in India have the authority to regulate inter-state trade and commerce except by the rule of law passed by the Indian Parliament.

“This provision also affects the federal power of the State of Meghalaya which is serious in nature. The fact that even transportation of buffaloes is regulated by Assam as stated in the Bill above it is implied that the spirit of the Bill goes beyond appealing the religious sentiments of the Hindus in the State of Assam and if this kind of Policy by neighbourhood State is allowed, it will have a far reaching impact in the near future as Assam may also regulate and prohibit the supply of other food items and other goods to the State which will in turn greatly affect the livelihood and economy of the State as Assam is the only gateway to Meghalaya,” HYC president, Robertjune Kharjahrin said.

The HYC has mentioned that it agrees that no cattle should be illegally sold to Bangladesh and other neighbouring nations as it is difficult to even meet the domestic requirement.

Talking on Section 7, he said this provision is a cause for concern to the movement of beef, buffalo and cattle to Meghalaya even for agricultural purposes and as beef consumption is common in the State and Assam being the gateway for transportation of goods to the State, such a legislation will have a far sighted impact on the food habit and the economy of the State as a whole.

Meghalaya procures cattle from many other States in India like West Bengal, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and these are transported to the State through Assam.

HYC has also expressed concern that there is also a high possibility that several religious base organisations or some fringe groups will unnecessary disturb and restrict movement of vehicles transporting the cattle through Assam into the State.