The Assam government on Monday moved an amendment in the Assembly with an aim to make The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021,’ more stringent with regard to investigation procedure and facilitating utilization of cattle for animal husbandry and agricultural purposes.
The Assam Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was laid in the House by Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Bill to regulate the slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle in the state was passed in the Assembly on August 13.
The statement of objects and reasons for the amendment mentioned that the changes are being proposed “to remove certain existing restrictions with the aim of facilitating utilisation of cattle for animal husbandry and agricultural purposes”.
The amendments also seek to “ensure strict implementation of the penal provisions of the Act’ and therefore, new provisions regarding investigation procedure have been proposed.
However, the transport of cattle to any district within the state that has an international boundary is sought to be prohibited through the amendment bill.
Further, it seeks to allow the sale of the seized vehicles, boats, vessels and others except for cattle, after being produced before the appropriate court during inquiry or trial.
The amendment sought authorization of the investigation officer to attach or seize documents relating to moveable and immovable property acquired by a person or his/her family members against whom a case has been registered under the principal act within six years prior to the registration of the case.
The burden to prove that the attached or seized property was not acquired illegally through the sale or transportation of cattle in violation of any provision of the principal act will be on the affected person.