INDIA, March 4, 2015 (Scroll.in): Meat-eaters in Maharashtra have harshly criticized the state government for imposing a ban on beef. But a bigger, more organized opposition is in the wings as beef traders and retailers across the state prepared on Tuesday to rally against the move.
On March 2, 20 years after the state assembly first cleared the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995, President Pranab Mukherjee cleared the way for the act to be passed. Once the state government issues a formal notification about the new amendment, the act will impose a blanket ban on the slaughter of bulls, bullocks and calves, in addition to cows (whose slaughter has been banned since 1976). Even the mere possession of their meat will then be punishable by a fine of US$160 or five years in prison.
A beef retailer, who wished to remain anonymous, pointed out – Maharashtra’s illegal industry of slaughtering, importing and exporting cow meat has been flourishing for several years through corruption and bribery. “With the ban, legal businesses will face tremendous consequences, but illegal businesses are likely to continue with few hiccups.”