Day after backing land reforms law, HDK slams govt's anti-cow slaughter bill

Bengaluru: Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy who is at the centre of criticism for helping the BJP government pass the controversial Karnataka Land Reforms (amendment) Bill 2020, has taken a strong stance against the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020, which he says will affect the cattle in the long run.

He reasons that the Bill does not appear to have taken measures to protect farmers, who actually protect and nurture cattle.

"Other people may worship cows, but it is only the farmer who nurtures and protects them. The most prominent drawback is that of bringing even the male calf and bulls under the Bill's ambit. It is a common knowledge that the male calves of only native cattle are generally nurtured as they are useful in farming activities. The male calves of hybrid cows including HF varieties are not preferred as they lack agility," he explained.

"However, the Bill forces farmers to nurture them. But it is highly impossible as the hybrid varieties like HF cattle need a minimum of Rs 200 a day for maintenance. This is highly impracticable. This would increase financial burden on dairy farmers and make dairying a loss-making proposition. Already, the farmers are reeling under distress as milk unions have slashed the procurement prices by Rs 5 per litre ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the State," Kumaraswamy said.

He said that the government's incentive of Rs 5 per litre is not being paid regularly and with this move the farmers would come under pressure and give up on dairying.

"Law Minister Madhuswamy who piloted the Bill, vaguely mentioned about the facility to be created for shifting such cattle to cow shelters if farmers cannot look after them. But it appears that such a thing requires approval from veterinary officials or authorities concerned.

But already, the veterinary department is so severely understaffed that it has become difficult for the doctors to attend to all the cattle. This would now put farmers under further pressure," the JD(S) supremo added. Kumaraswamy is apprehensive over the extra judicial powers being given to the police to inspect the dairy premises.

"There is a possibility of this provision being politically misused. This may even vitiate the atmosphere in villages. Similarly, the clause that insists on getting permits and clearances from veterinary department for transport of cattle is bound to create license raj and pave the way for corruption.

It is an irony that the BJP government which is talking of "ease of doing business" by removing license raj for big industrialists is actually forcing such license raj on poor farmers," he observed. He further said that it was not proper to hold the sellers responsible in case of slaughter.

"Please do not make farmers run around the government offices instead of focusing on farming," Kumaraswamy stated.

The former CM hoped that the government's move would not increase farmer suicides.

AICCTU has also condemned the Bill calling it anti- dalit, anti- minority and anti- worker.

"When the minimum wages fixed by government are barely enough for subsistence, then such a law will deprive masses of their right to nutritious food simply to further the Hindutva agenda of the BJP government," it said.