Kolkata: State Congress president Subhankar Sarkar on Friday urged the Bengal government to consider amending the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, emphasizing that the livelihoods of hundreds of people involved in the cattle and milk trade are at stake.
Impact on Rural Communities
Thousands of villagers, belonging to both Hindu and Muslim communities, depend on cattle-rearing and the milk trade for their income. Sarkar highlighted that any legislation must take into account the socio-economic conditions of these communities.
"There are thousands of people in the villages who are involved in cattle-rearing and milk trade. They are from both Hindu and Muslim communities. If a law is made, that has to be done keeping the socio-economic condition in mind," Sarkar said.
Call for Local Administration Role
He further suggested that the government could consider amending the existing law and stressed the importance of local administration ensuring that government decisions do not create tension in rural areas.
"Government can think of amending the existing law. Local administration has to see that decision of the government does not create tension in the rural areas," he added.
The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950, regulates the slaughter of animals in the state. Any amendment could have significant implications for the cattle and dairy sectors, which are vital to the rural economy.
