AIUDF MLA details 'necessity and impact' of Assam Cattle Protection Bill

GUWAHATI: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Aminul Islam on Friday detailed the necessity and impact of the Cattle Protection Bill on the last day of Assam assembly.

He stated that before passing any bill, its necessity and impact need to be discussed.

Talking about the necessity of the Cattle protection Bill, the AIUDF MLA said that 'Endangered species like Rhino need to be preserved. We have to identify first if cow is an endangered species in Assam'.

As per the the data provided by the state government, the population of cows has been increasing every year, he informed.

There are 1,09,09,327  cows in Assam as according to the 2020 survey, which is way more than the population of Buffaloes.

"If we follow the figures, it doesn't seem that it is an endangered species".

Taking up a socio-economic point of view, he informed that Lakhimpur district has over 6 lakhs cows as per the survey done in 2020, second Dhemaji with over 5 lakhs, Golaghat, Nagaon etc.

As per the data provided by the Assam government, the population of cos have increased by 12-13 per cent.

Talking about the socio economic impact, Aminul informed that nearly 40 lakhs cows are sold in Assam every year.

"If we take the average price of a cow as Rs 50,000, then the sellers are earning Rs 20,000 crores in a year."

If the bill comes into force, about 98 perc cent sale will be reduced to Rs 1000cr causing a  huge loss of Rs 19,000 cr.

In the past few weeks, districts including Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Biswanath Chariali have been  protesting against the bill on media as well as on social media platforms.

For these people, cows are no less than an asset, he said.

"Whenever, they need money for any occasion including weddings, education of children etc, they sell off the cows. From the money their problem gets solved. It is more effective than bank deposits".

Dissecting the the bill further, Aminul said that if the restrictions on inter-district sale are followed, 99% of sale will be reduced in the state causing a huge revenue loss.

Taking a jibe at the government, he said that there seem to be stricter laws for protection than protection of women or against mob lynching.