Afroz Alam Sahil, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi : The recent debates over the consumption of beef in India seems to have everyone confused. India continues to remain one of the top exporters of beef in the world, even as some states go all out in trying to ban beef, and BJP members insist that no beef will be allowed. But the rule, regulation and government guidelines say different story. According to these rules, beef export is prohibited.
A reply to questions asked under RTI from Department of Commerce of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India says, “As per the Govt. of India’s Meat Export Policy, the export of beef (meat of cow, oxen and calf) is prohibited and it is not permitted to be exported.”
The reply goes on to add, “However, as per the distribution of legislative powers between Union of India and States under Article 246(3) of the Constitution, preservation of cattle is the matter on which the State legislatures have the exclusion powers to legislate. Thus, enactment of law on cow slaughter does not fall under the purview of the Central Government.”
In another reply, Directorate General of Foreign Trade of Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India says, “As per the extant Trade Policy under Sl. No. 10 of chapter 1, Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import, “Live Cattle” (cows, oxen, bulls and calves), are restricted and exports permitted under license.”
“However, Sl. No. 19 of Chapter 2, Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) Classification of Export and Import, “Meat and Edible Meat Offal”, further provide that beef of cows, oxen and calves are prohibited and exports are not permitted,” it added.
“It is clear from export policy that export of beef of cow, oxen and calf is prohibited and not permitted for export,” further added.
On paper, India can’t export beef. but India is one of the leading exporters of beef in the world. How and who is violating this law? And more than policing and attacking common citizens over their dietary habits, does it not make more sense to confront these companies who seem to be breaking multiple rules?