Breaking: Centre to consider representations on Cattle Slaughter Rules and make amendments

The central government today told the Supreme Court that it will consider the representations received from various stakeholders on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 and make necessary amendments to the same..A Bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud recorded the submission by the Centre and disposed of the petition filed by Hyderabad-based All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee, through advocate Sanobar Ali Qureshi..The Rules passed by the Centre in May this year looked to place certain restrictions on the sale of cattle in animal markets. Rule 22(b) requires a person bringing cattle to the market to submit a written declaration stating that the animal has not been brought to the market for slaughter. Further, Rule 22(d) requires an Animal Market Monitoring Committee to obtain a certificate from the buyer of an animal that it has been bought for agricultural purposes. Rule 22(e) prevents the purchaser from selling the animal for slaughter..The same was challenged in the Kerala, Bombay and Madras High Courts. While the Bombay and Kerala High Courts had issued notice to the Centre, the Madras High Court had stayed the Rules..Subsequently, the impugned Rules were challenged in the Supreme Court as well, with the Court issuing notice to the Centre on June 15..When the matter was taken up for hearing today, Additional Solicitor General PS Narasimha told the Court that the Centre is considering representations by various stakeholders and sought time till August..“There are certain aspects of the Rules which are troubling stakeholders and we have received various representations. We will consider the same.”.He also said that the Centre was not seeking a modification of the stay order by Madras High Court. In this light, the stay on the Rules by Madras High Court will now continue..The Court recorded the submissions of the ASG and proceeded to dispose of the case..“It is the Union of India’s submission that large number of representations have been received and the after appropriate consideration, necessary changes as may be introduced will be renotified by Centre. In the above view, these petitions need not be retained on board.”.The Court also directed the Centre that sufficient time should be allowed to states to implement the Rules as and when they are notified..Read the order below.