Guwahati: The Congress in Meghalaya demanded Conrad K Sangma led the Government for a law to counter Assam’s Cattle Protection Bill, 2021 which restricts the transportation of cattle to other states in Assam.
Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram are totally dependent on Assam for their foods items as well as cattle and other related products.
Congress MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh speaking on the issue said that the state should have its own rules and rights related to the consumption of red meat in the state should be in the hands of the people belonging to Meghalaya. “We respect the religious sentiments of all political parties but Beef is a part of our diet and we cannot let other states change our food habits”, he added.
Hynniewtrep Youth Council has also submitted a memorandum to Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong regarding the issue. According to a report, in the memorandum, they have pointed out certain “objectionable” sections that were list in the Cattle Protection Bill, 2021.
As per reports, the council claimed that section 7 in the Bill “violates” the Indian Constitution. This is because inter-state and commerce fall under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule. States cannot regulate interstate trade and commerce. Only the Parliament can regulate and thus the clause has violated the Constitution.