Cow slaughter bill will give rise to unemployment in the state: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah lashed out at BS Yediyurappa government after the Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly.

Siddaramaiah claimed that the bill will steal jobs of several people who are dependent on it which will give rise to unemployment in state.

He said, ” There are already laws regarding cow slaughter in state. Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation of Animals Act, 1964,  allowed cow slaughter with certain restrictions.The 1964 law allowed the slaughter of bullock, buffalo-male or female if it was certified by a competent authority to be above the age of 12 years, incapacitated for breeding or deemed sick. That law had banned the killing of any cow or calf of she-buffalo.”

Siddaramaiah further said, “There are several cow shelters in the state, but what will they do when cows age or suffer from disease. What aid will government provide to look after these cows? More than 8 lakhs scheduled tribe people are indulged in collecting cow’s carcasses and removing their skin. They then sell it to the trader who trades in the by-products of dead cows”

“As unemployment is rising in the state, government must come up with policies to increase employment opportunities,” he added