Meghalaya CM seeks to allay MLAs’ fears on Assam cattle Act

SHILLONG: Meghalaya legislators on Tuesday voiced their concern in the assembly over the Assam Preservation of Cattle Act, which has put restrictions on the movement of cattle to the state, where beef is staple diet and a cheap source of protein.
However, chief minister Conrad K Sangma told the House that the Meghalaya government had taken up the matter relating to transport of cattle to the state through Assam and that his counterpart has assured that all documents required by traders would be from Meghalaya.
Sangma said during his recent meeting with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the interstate boundary issue, the matter relating to transport of cattle had also come up and that there was “in principle agreement that all papers will be done from the Meghalaya side, but there is a bit of nonclarity”, which, he said was being be sorted out.
The Assam government has been requested to ensure hassle-free passage for cattle to Meghalaya, he said, adding that the department of animal husbandry and veterinary is in the process of creating an administrative system to ensure legitimate import of cattle from outside the state and also check smuggling.