Karnataka passes anti-cattle slaughter bill amid ruckus in Assembly, Cong opposes

In a major development, Karnataka Assembly passed ' Prevention of slaughter and preservation of cattle bill, 2020' on Wednesday, amid a massive ruckus. Bill which was tabled earlier in day, bans slaughtering of cattle or intentionally kill cattle throughout Karnataka. Opposition parties - Congress and JDS have alleged that y were t allowed to peruse bill and that Bill was passed in a hurry.

Farmers' unions reject Centre's proposal; to intensify protests until repeal of farm laws

Here are Bill's key features:

• state government will appoint a competent authority - which will t be below rank of Veterinary Officer, for a local area under this Act. He will be deemed as a public servant. suit, prosecution or legal proceedings can be instituted against him for exercising powers under this Act.
• person shall slaughter, offer or cause to slaughter, intentionally kill or offer or cause to slaughter cattle. Sale, purchase or disposal of cattle for slaughter too has been prohibited.
• person can transport cattle for slaughtering. Only transport for bonafide agricultural or animal husbandry purposes allowed.
• Police officers, t below rank of sub-inspector, can inspect and seize cattle and materials if he believes an offence is being committed under this Act. After seizure, a report will be filed with sub-divisional magistrate, who may release seized material except cattle, on production of Bank guarantee equal to value estimated by him. He may also sell confiscated premises in a public auction, if he deems so.
• government may deem any court as a special court for speedy disposal of disputes under this Act.
• Any person aggrieved by an order under this Act may appeal to a Sessions judge within 30 days on receiving such an order

Cabinet approves PMWANI in big boost to internet access; public WiFi networks to be set up

Penalties under this Act

• A convicted person will be sentenced to three-seven years of imprisonment, and or a fine of Rs 50,000 upto Rs 5 lakhs. In case of repeat offence, fine will be Rs 1 lakh upto Rs 10 lakhs, with jail term extending upto 7 years. 
• Anyone abetting an accused with an offence will also be punished under same offence.
• All offences are cognizable and an accused's seized cattle and materials will be given to state government upon conviction.

Exceptions to Act

• Cattle operated on for vaccine lymph, serum or experimental purposes are exempted.
• Slaughter of cattle certified by a veterinary officer in interest of public health exempted
• Cattle which is suffering from disease and is deemed terminally ill is exempted.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India's tally at 97 lakhs; foreign envoys visit vaccine facility

While tabling bill, Ministers Prabhu Chauhan and KS Eshwarappa offered Pooja to a cow in banquet hall of Vidhan Soudha. Congress has boycotted last day of Assembly, claiming Bill was rushed. Apart from Karnataka, Telangana, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Presh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Mhya Presh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nu, Uttar Presh have some versions of anti-cow slaughter Act in force.

BJP chief Nda claims 'Will cross 200 seats in Bengal'; slams Mamata's 'intolerance'