Rajasthan passes bill to ban camel slaughter

Rajasthan Government on 27 March 2015 passed the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Bill, 2015. It was passed in state legislative assembly by a voice vote.
The bill bans the slaughter, trading and unauthorised transportation of camels in the state. It also prescribes rigorous punishment for its violation including five years of rigorous imprisonment along with monetary fine. Causing injury to camel is also punishable as per the bill.
Background

• The bill was enacted after several cases of intentional killings of camel and its progeny had come to light in state. Large numbers of camels for the purpose of slaughter were transported to other states.
• The menace illegal camel slaughter and trade had increased in recent times due to the recurrent famine and scarcity conditions in the state. It had resulted in the decline of the camel population.
• In July 2014, state government had declared camel as the state animal of Rajasthan in order to curb its illegal trade.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2015