3 July 2024: The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved a draft legislation that empowers district collectors to confiscate vehicles used for the illegal transportation of cows intended for slaughter. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Cow Slaughter Prohibition Act, 2004, aims to expedite action against illegal cow transport. Under the current provisions, a magistrate determines if the cow was being transported for slaughter, a process that often delays enforcement. With the new amendment, district collectors can directly decide on vehicle confiscation, thereby reducing illegal cow transportation, according to a government official.
In addition to this amendment, the cabinet approved measures to penalize landowners who leave borewells open. The Public Health Engineering Department will impose fines on owners of uncapped and improperly closed borewells, a change prompted by numerous incidents of children falling into abandoned borewells.
The cabinet also decided to end a decades-old practice of the state treasury paying income tax on behalf of state ministers. Since 1972, the government has covered the income tax on ministers’ salaries and allowances, costing over ₹3 crore in the past five years. This amendment will require ministers to personally handle their income tax payments going forward.
Chief Minister Yadav emphasized the importance of plugging open borewells to prevent further tragedies and avoid penalties.
This legislative package reflects the state government’s efforts to streamline enforcement procedures and address public safety concerns more effectively.
