6 days ago
Maharashtra to amend Animal Preservation Act to make it more stringent, launch crackdown on illegal abattoirs
In a move aimed at curbing illegal cow slaughter across Maharashtra, the state government will amend the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act to make it more stringent, with plans to double the sentence for repeat cow slaughter offenders from five years to 10, minister of State for Home (urban) Yogesh Kadam informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Kadam said the bill for the proposed changes is likely to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of the Legislative Assembly.
Stating that cow slaughter will not be tolerated anywhere in the state, Kadam said the government is committed to ensuring that violations are met with swift and stringent action. 'We will strengthen the law so that repeat offenders cannot exploit the current legal framework. The amendments, when passed, will make provisions for harsher sentences and penalties,' he said.
The announcement comes days after a police raid in Badlapur (West), where 510kg of beef and a live calf were seized from an unauthorised slaughterhouse in the Dargah Mohalla area on June 9.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay sought to know the government's stand on repeated violations of cow slaughter laws. The discussion saw participation from members across parties, including Amol Khatal, Atul Bhatkhalkar, Aslam Shaikh and Praveen Datke, who demanded stricter enforcement and legal deterrents.
Responding to the concerns, Kadam said that the government will initiate a state-wide campaign targeting unauthorised slaughterhouses. Police officials and municipal bodies have been instructed to collect intelligence and take action against those operating such establishments illegally. The government is also examining the possibility of prosecuting habitual offenders under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Kadam acknowledged the role played by cow protection groups and certain voluntary organisations in alerting police about such incidents. He said that in several cases, information shared by these groups has led to successful operations.
The government is now planning to formalise this coordination by issuing official identity cards to verified cow protection volunteers, after proper background checks. 'A structured channel of communication between police, gau rakshaks and NGOs will ensure quicker response and accountability,' said Kadam.
The minister also addressed concerns raised about cattle welfare. He said that the state government would continue supporting gaushalas, especially for housing abandoned, old or non-milking animals rescued during raids.
These shelters, run under the Department of Animal Husbandry, will receive the required assistance for infrastructure and maintenance.
