After the Centre's new rule banning sale of cattle for slaughter rocked the Kerala political circles, its neighboring state Karnataka too, registered its strong opposition to the move.
On Tuesday, Karnataka Law Minister T B Jayachandra took up the matter in the state cabinet and called the Centre's move "unconstitutional." The rule will not stand the test of law, the minister added.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Jayachandra said, "There is a lot of overlapping of rules with regard to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017 that were notified on May 25. It appears the new rules have been issued in haste and, constitutionally, regulating animal trade is ultra vires (beyond its legal authority)," Law Minister was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Speaking about the legality of the rule, minister Jayachandra said that the new rule and the provisions of PCA contravene each other. He explained that while the Act does not ban sale of cattle for slaughter at the animal markets, the new rules prohibit the sale.
According to reports, the Law Minister breifed the cabinet about the provisions of the new rule and also registered his opposition on it.
“There are several aspects to this, which overlap the state rules. Further, intra state trading also impinges on articles stated in the Constitution. If they want to override the states on this, then they have bring an amendment to the Act and seek the assent of the President," the minister was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
With many other states opposing the Centre's rule on the grounds that it has no power to override the powers of the states, Jayachandra too, reiterated the stand.
The minister told reporters that the state will convey its stand on the matter after the next cabinet meeting.