GUWAHATI: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday stated that the Cattle Preservation Bill is nothing but 'a ploy to divert attention from the Govt’s failures in COVID management and vaccination".
"In the 2021 election manifesto we had promised the construction of gaushalas in every district. The Assam Congress has also raised the issue of illegal cow syndicate in Assam under the BJP government", said Gogoi stating that Congress has been speaking about protection of cows for a long time.
Citing the Cattle Preservation Act of 1950, Gogoi questioned the need a new law.
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"All the key provisions of this Bill are already present in the existing law of 1950. Why was that not amended if needed, and implemented properly? Why the need for a new law? The Government does not need a new law to tackle the problem of cow smuggling", he said.
"This Bill if converted into an Act misused, will sound the death-knell for thousands of dairy farmers and cooperatives in Assam. These cooperatives will not be able to take care of the aged cows that have stopped producing milk. It will create an environment of harassment when farmers want to purchase cattle. There is no mention of how to increase production of dairy, create more cooperatives, production units etc", he added.
Gogoi also said that the newly formed government in Assam is busy in 'renovating and beautifying their own bungalows' while the state is struggling to cope with the pandemic.
"At a time when the Govt cannot waive off micro-finance loans, people don't have money for rations, it is shameful that lakhs of public money is being spent on renovating expensive bungalows. This expenditure at this point is completely wasteful and does nothing to alleviate the sufferings of the people who are burdened with increasing tolls, cess etc", said Gogoi.
The Congress Govt on the other hand, had brought a World Bank project to Assam to promote dairy production, he stated.
Gogoi urged that the state needs a modern and professional outlook where rule of law and principles of democracy are upheld which are not controlled by one single person.