From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 5: The Union Home Ministry has asked the Karnataka Government to modify the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, and resend it for legalising Kambala - the traditional buffalo race.

The Centre has sought to clip the State Government’s powers to include more sports or races involving animals by notifications in the future.

The Additional Secretary of the Union Home Ministry has suggested to the Government to modify or omit the phrase “subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed” in sub-section 2 of section 3, in the Bill. 

The phrase envisages inclusion of more such sports involving animals through government notifications in the future.

Briefing reporters on decisions taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Law and Parliamentary Affiars Minister T B Jayachandra said the Cabinet has agreed to modify the Bill as suggested by the Union Home Ministry.

The modified version of the Bill would be sent to the President again for his assent. Since modifications were minor, there was no necessity to place the Bill in the State Legislature again, he said.