Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 23: Even after about a month since the Kambala bill was forwarded to the central government for President's signature, the bill is still juggling between departments, it is gathered. Although several leaders from Dakshina Kannada had personally pursued the bill with the support of minister, D V Sadananda Gowda and MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, the bill is yet to become law.

People point out that unlike in the case of Tamil Nadu where all the MPs sank their political differences and worked unitedly to get assent from the President for holding of 'Jallikattu', leaders from Karnataka have neither shown their unity nor put their weight behind this bill. Other than Gowda and Kateel, no other MPs have worked hard in getting the bill cleared.

The ammendment bill to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 that was passed by the state legislature on February 14, had been sent for governor's signature. As the governor felt that it needs President's sanction as an ammendment was made to central legislation, it was sent to the central government on February 23.

The bill, which was forwarded to home ministry, was sent to departments of law, environment, and culture for their comments. After collecting opinions, it was sent by the home secretary to legal cell of law ministry for their opinion.

The legal cell, which went through the comments made by departments, found that the department of environment had just written 'no comments' instead of supporting the bill. The legal cell therefore, returned the bill to home secretary, pointing out that the departments need to write specific comments, either positive or negative, for the bill. 'No comments' cannot be accepted as the department's view, it has said.

The environment ministry is learnt to have sent back the bill with its response to home secretary. From there, it is likely to reach legal cell on Thursday after which it will be sent to the President along with legal opinion. In all likelihood, the bill may reach the President by next week. The delay has been giving sleepless nights to leaders of Kambala Samiti, who were hoping to organize a few Kambalas during this season.