(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of milch animals including cow are reportedly being slaughtered illegally, and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the States which have imposed a complete ban on slaughtering of milch animals including cow and sale of beef in their States; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the issue?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 207 SLAUGHTERING OF MILCH ANIMALS TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY 2014.
(a) to (c) No information is available with this Department regarding illegal slaughter of milch animals including cows. As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, preservation and protection of animals is a matter on which State legislatures have exclusive powers to legislate. Presently, 24 States and 5 Union Territories have legislations for imposing a complete ban/ prohibition/restriction on slaughter of animals including milch animals like cows (detailed at Annexure A and B); and some State legislations have also imposed a complete ban on sale of beef within the State. Government of India has imposed a complete ban on both export and import of beef.