New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday gave a hint that the cattle rules can be altered, saying that centre does not want to change anyone’s food habits.
“I have invited further representation (from states and other stakeholders),” the minister claimed when Meghalaya Assembly passed a resolution opposing the cattle slaughter ban, report DH.
“We don’t want to influence food habits of any person. We are also not interested in disturbing the business of slaughtering in any way,” he said.
Vardhan had stated earlier that it was not a prestige issue for BJP and the rule could be changed.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had issued the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 on May 23.
This triggered a huge controversy with several states blaming the central government for influencing the food habit and creating economic problems for farmers and meat industry. On May 30, the Madras High Court had stayed for four weeks the enforcement of the contentious notification.