The Madhya Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has greenlit a significant legislative amendment aimed at curbing illegal transportation of cows for slaughter. In a move to strengthen the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, district collectors will now wield the authority to confiscate vehicles involved in transporting cows for slaughter.
A government official highlighted that previously, magistrates were tasked with determining whether cows were being illegally transported for slaughter, a process often delaying police action and complicating legal proceedings. “Empowering district collectors to decide on confiscation will streamline enforcement efforts and deter illegal cow transportation across Madhya Pradesh,” the official stated after the cabinet meeting.
The amendment comes amid stringent provisions already in place prohibiting the illegal transportation of cows within the state.
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Additionally, the cabinet addressed another pressing issue by approving legislation to hold landowners accountable for abandoned open borewells. The Public Health Engineering Department will enforce penalties on landowners if borewells are found uncovered or improperly closed, following incidents where children tragically lost their lives after falling into open borewells. Chief Minister Yadav urged landowners to seal these borewells to avoid penalties, emphasizing public safety.
In a historic decision, the cabinet also moved to amend laws dating back five decades that mandated the state treasury to cover income tax payments for state ministers. Since 1972, the Madhya Pradesh government has borne the income tax burden of ministers’ salaries and allowances, amounting to over ₹3 crore in the last five years alone.
These legislative actions reflect the state government’s commitment to enhancing law enforcement and fiscal accountability, addressing critical public safety concerns, and ensuring financial transparency in governance. The amendments are poised to have a profound impact on governance and public welfare across Madhya Pradesh.