Bengaluru: The State government is planning to dissolve the Goseva Ayoga or Cattle Conservation Commission constituted by the BJP regime in 2012.
The panel was set up as part of the State BJP manifesto promise made ahead of the 2009 Assembly polls for a strict ban on cow slaughter. The 16-member commission has the authority to ensure protection of cattle.
Along with the 16-member commission, the government is planning to repeal the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention (Constitution of Goseva Ayoga) rules, 2012.
The rules provided that all institutions engaged in cattle welfare, including goshalas (cow shelters), have to register and subject themselves to inspections. The commission has nine official and seven non-official members. According to official sources in the Animal Husbandry Department, as soon as the Siddaramaiah government came to power, the non-official members were removed. The members challenged the decision of the government in the High Court and got a stay. The stay was recently vacated, sources said.
Sources in the government said the Animal Welfare Board was already entrusted with the task of protecting cattle and there was no need for having another separate commission. It not only meant duplication of work but also a financial burden on the State exchequer, they said.
The Cabinet is likely to take a decision on dissolving the commission and repealing the rules at its meeting on Tuesday.
The commission has been given the mandate to ensure proper management of cattle at welfare centres, provide financial assistance to them and ensure timely implementation of programmes of the State government under the various cattle development schemes.
Other functions included taking custody of agricultural cattle seized under the 1964 anti-cow slaughter legislation and entrusting them to the nearest goshala or cattle protection institution. The present dispensation, last year, had also repealed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2012 passed during the BJP regime. The 2012 bill sought to ban the slaughter of cows and bulls. It also provided stringent punishment for violators, making the offence cognizable and non-bailable.
(Agencies)