Bovine Act to thwart cow transport

 A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday gave nod to amendments in the Rajasthan Bovine Animals (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act 1995 which gives the authorities the right to seize vehicles used in the illegal transportation of cows, besides making such an act punishable with arrest. Also, buffaloes in the list of bovine animals, have been excluded in the amendments.“The existing Act prohibits transportation of bovine animals but it has no provision for seizure of the vehicle used in transportation of cows or arresting the persons engaged in. Therefore, new provisions have been incorporated in the amendments,” said parliamentary minister Rajendra Rathore to scribes at the Rajasthan assembly, adding that President Ram Nath Kovind sought a clarification over clubbing buffaloes in bovines, following which it has been removed from the list. The cabinet decision of punitive action and seizure come after surge of clashes between law agencies and cow smugglers, particularly in Alwar area.

Another important decision the cabinet took was to offer concession to youths of SC and ST appearing for clerk grade jobs through direct recruitment.

Now, candidates in both categories will get 5 percent marks relaxation in the minimum marks required while qualifying for recruitment.

Currently, 40 percent marks in the first paper and 36 marks in the second paper are mandatory to qualify for jobs. “Making amendments in ministerial service rules, a new provision has been added to give relaxation of 5 percent marks required to qualify for the exams,” Rathore added.

The cabinet also amended the other backward class (OBC) list, abolishing discrepancies which few castes were facing in getting caste certificates. “A notification issued by previous government had amended the list and it was introduced with castes- Nagarchi- Damami (Muslim), Rana (Muslim) and Bayati (Barot Muslim). With the cabinet decision, the list has been amended again with the insertion of Nagarchi, Damami, Rana and Bayati (Barot) and rest Non-Hindus with the same castes. This will make all communities of these castes get caste certificates of OBC,” stated Rathore.

The minister further added that as per the cabinet decision the right to appoint the first vice chancellor in technical universities in future will be made by the state government.