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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030813/ncr1.htm

SPECIAL FOCUS ON GURGAON
PFA welcomes Bill banning cow slaughter
Our Correspondent

Gurgaon, August 12
The Haryana chapter of the People for Animals has welcomed the decision of the Cabinet committee that has decided to put up legislation for banning the slaughter of cows throughout the country.

The state unit has also demanded that the central government declare the cow as the national animal.

Mr Naresh Kumar Kadyan, Chairman of the state unit of the NGO, which is working for the welfare of the animals, said that the new Bill, the Cows Prevention of Cruelty Bill 2003, would soon be tabled in Parliament. It was matter of great satisfaction that almost all political parties had shown their inclination for passing the Bill.

After passing the Bill, the slaughter of cows would be held illegal and the export of beef would be banned. The decision of the Cabinet committee has been widely appreciated because the Hindu community considers the cow a holy animal and most members of the community worship the animal.

Mr Kadyan informed that the central government had already sought the views of the Attorney-General of the country for outright banning of cow slaughter in the country. It was expected that no problem would come up in the implementation of the rule, said the Chairman. He further added that the Centre had considered drafting a law as model legislation which the state government would have the option of following it.

Mr Kadyan has thanked Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Chairperson of People for Animals Maneka Gandhi and other political leaders who had raised the voice in favour of the Bill and supported the cause for banning the slaughtering of cows.

The state unit of the People for Animals has also suggested to the political leaders to declare the cow as the national animal as the cow is a much worshipped animal by a majority of the people living in the country.

He has also appealed to the masses, particularly the Hindu community, to come forward to help different organisations which were providing shelter and food for the abandoned cows.