The bill banning slaughtering of cow in Maharashtra was received the President’s assent on Monday. This means red-meat lovers in the state will have to do omit beef from their diet.
This measure was initiated during the previous Sena-BJP government in the mid-1990s.The bill was first submitted to the President for approval on January 30, 1996. But subsequent governments at the Centre, including the BJP-led NDA stalled it and did not seek the President’s consent.
“Thanks a lot Hon President Sir for the assent on Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill. Our dream of ban on cow slaughter becomes a reality now,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.
The President had signed the Bill and sent it to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which then informed the Maharashtra Governor of the decision.
Now, anyone found to be selling beef or in possession of it can be jailed for five years and fined Rs 10,000.