West Bengal Act XXII of 1950
THE WEST BENGAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER CONTROL ACT, 1950
[Passed by the West Bengal Legislature.]
[Assent of the Governor was first published in the Calcutta Gazette, of the 6th April, 1950.]
An Act to control the slaughter of certain animals.
WHEREAS it is expedient to control the slaughter of certain animals with a view to increase the supply of milk and to avoid the wastage of animal power necessary for improvement of agriculture;
It is hereby enacted as follows:—
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.
(2) It extends to the whole of West Bengal.
(3) It shall come into force on such date or dates as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different parts of West Bengal.
2. Application of Act.
This Act applies to the animals specified in the Schedule.
3. Definitions.
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—
(i) “animal” means an animal to which this Act applies;
(ii) “Calcutta” has the same meaning as in clause (11) of section 3 of the Calcutta Municipal Act, 1923;
(iii) “President of a municipality” means any person presiding over the affairs of any municipal authority by whatever name he may be called, and includes any person nominated by him for the purposes of this Act;
(iv) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(v) “Veterinary Assistant Surgeon” means,—
(a) in areas other than Calcutta, a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, and
(b) in Calcutta, a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon of the West Bengal Civil Veterinary Department acting within the local limits of his jurisdiction, and
(vi) “Veterinary Officer” means,—
(a) in areas other than Calcutta, a District Veterinary Officer, and
(b) in Calcutta, a Superintendent of Veterinary Services (Headquarters) of the West Bengal Civil Veterinary Department acting within the local limits of his jurisdiction.
4. Prohibition of slaughter of animal without certificate.
(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force or in any usage to the contrary, no person shall slaughter any animal unless he has obtained in respect thereof a certificate under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) that the animal is fit for slaughter.
(2) The President of a municipality and the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon may issue a certificate under their joint signatures that an animal is fit for slaughter if they are both of opinion (which shall be recorded) that—
(a) the animal is over fourteen years of age and unfit for work or breeding, or
(b) the animal has become permanently incapacitated from work or breeding due to age, injury, deformity or any incurable disease.
(3) Where there is a difference of opinion between the President of a municipality and the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon as to the issue of a certificate under sub-section (2), the matter shall be referred to the Veterinary Officer and a certificate shall be issued or refused according as the Veterinary Officer is of opinion that the animal is fit to be slaughtered or is not so fit.
(4) Where under sub-section (3) a certificate is issued or refused, the order granting or refusing the issue of the certificate shall be signed by the Veterinary Officer.
(5) Any person aggrieved by the refusal to issue a certificate under this section may, within fifteen days from the date of communication to him of such refusal, appeal to the State Government against the order of refusal, and the State Government may pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit.
(6) The State Government may, at any time for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the legality or propriety of any action taken under this section, call for and examine the record of any case, and may pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit.
(7) Subject to the provisions of this section, any action taken under this section shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court.
5. Prohibition of slaughter of animals in places not prescribed for the purpose.
No animal in respect of which a certificate has been issued under section 4 shall be slaughtered in any place other than a place prescribed in this behalf.
6. Power to enter and inspect premises.
(1) For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act, the President of a municipality or the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon or any person authorised by the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in writing in this behalf, shall have power to enter and inspect any premises within the local limits of his jurisdiction where he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is likely to be committed.
(2) Every person in occupation of any such premises as is specified in sub-section (1) shall allow the President of a municipality, the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon or the person authorised, as the case may be, such access to the premises as he may require for the aforesaid purpose, and shall answer any question put to him by the President of a municipality, the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon or the person authorised, as the case may be, to the best of his knowledge or belief.
7. Penalties.
Whoever contravenes any of the provisions contained in this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
8. Offences to be cognizable.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, all offences under this Act shall be cognizable.
9. Abetments and attempts.
Whoever abets any offence punishable under this Act or attempts to commit any such offence shall be punished with the punishment provided in this Act for such offence.
10. Officers exercising powers under this Act deemed to be public servants.
All Presidents of municipalities, Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, Veterinary Officers and other persons exercising powers under this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
11. Protection of persons acting in good faith.
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules made thereunder.
12. Power to grant exemptions.
The State Government may, by general or special order and subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, exempt from the operation of this Act the slaughter of any animal for any religious, medicinal or research purposes.
13. Delegation of functions.
The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate to any officer of State Government all or any of its powers or functions under sub-sections (5) and (6) of section 4, or section 12.
14. Power to make rules.
(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the form and manner in which applications for certificates under section 4 shall be made;
(b) the fees payable for any certificate which may be issued under section 4 and the form of such certificates;
(c) the places in which animals may be slaughtered in pursuance of this Act;
(d) the conditions subject to which the slaughter of any animal may be permitted under section 12.
The Schedule
(See section 2.)
- Bulls
- Bullocks
- Cows
- Calves
- Male and female buffaloes
- Buffalo calves
- Castrated buffaloes
Sarvarthapedia Conceptual Network: The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950
The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950 forms a major legal node within the interconnected framework of agricultural policy, livestock preservation, food governance, veterinary administration, municipal regulation, public health law, and post-independence economic planning in India. The Act is historically connected with state intervention in rural economy, milk production systems, cattle preservation policy, and administrative policing powers related to slaughter regulation.
Core Legal Concepts
Animal Slaughter Regulation
Connected to:
- Livestock Preservation
- Agricultural Productivity
- Veterinary Certification
- Municipal Supervision
- Public Order Regulation
- Food Governance Systems
Agricultural Economy Protection
Connected to:
- Draft Animal Preservation
- Rural Farming Infrastructure
- Milk Supply Expansion
- Animal Power Utilization
- Agrarian Productivity
- Post-Independence Food Security Policy
Veterinary Governance
Connected to:
- Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
- Veterinary Officer
- Animal Health Certification
- Livestock Disease Assessment
- Breeding Fitness Evaluation
- Animal Incapacitation Determination
Municipal Administrative Authority
Connected to:
- President of Municipality
- Local Governance Systems
- Municipal Licensing
- Slaughterhouse Regulation
- Urban Administrative Oversight
- Local Enforcement Authority
Historical Cluster
Post-Independence Legislative Reform
Connected to:
- Indian Agricultural Reconstruction
- Food Scarcity Concerns
- Livestock Preservation Policies
- Rural Economic Recovery
- State Welfare Administration
- Early Indian State Legislation
Bengal Agrarian Context
Connected to:
- Draft Cattle Dependency
- Rural Bengal Economy
- Milk Distribution Networks
- Village Agricultural Labor
- Livestock-Based Farming
- Traditional Animal Husbandry
Colonial Legal Continuity
Connected to:
- Calcutta Municipal Act, 1923
- Municipal Governance Structures
- Veterinary Administration Systems
- Colonial Urban Regulation
- Local Government Evolution
- Administrative Codification
Livestock Preservation Cluster
Cattle Protection
Connected to:
- Bulls
- Bullocks
- Cows
- Calves
- Buffaloes
- Buffalo Calves
- Castrated Buffaloes
Productive Animal Utility
Connected to:
- Agricultural Labor
- Ploughing Systems
- Dairy Production
- Breeding Capacity
- Rural Transport
- Livestock Energy Economy
Slaughter Eligibility Criteria
Connected to:
- Fourteen-Year Age Rule
- Permanent Incapacitation
- Injury Assessment
- Deformity Certification
- Incurable Disease Determination
- Unfitness for Breeding
Veterinary Administration Cluster
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
Connected to:
- Animal Inspection
- Slaughter Certification
- Municipal Coordination
- Livestock Evaluation
- Veterinary Jurisdiction
- Disease Verification
Veterinary Officer
Connected to:
- Dispute Resolution
- Certification Appeals
- Administrative Oversight
- Veterinary Hierarchy
- Official Authorization
- State Livestock Regulation
Veterinary Certification System
Connected to:
- Joint Signature Requirement
- Medical Fitness Determination
- Slaughter Permission
- Livestock Health Review
- Regulatory Compliance
- Official Documentation
Legal Enforcement Cluster
Prohibition Without Certificate
Connected to:
- Criminal Liability
- Unauthorized Slaughter
- Statutory Compliance
- Municipal Enforcement
- Veterinary Approval Requirement
- Regulatory Restriction
Cognizable Offences
Connected to:
- Criminal Procedure Code
- Police Authority
- Immediate Arrest Powers
- State Enforcement
- Penal Administration
- Criminal Investigation
Penalties
Connected to:
- Imprisonment up to Six Months
- Monetary Fine
- Punitive Regulation
- Legal Deterrence
- Criminal Sanctions
- Judicial Enforcement
Abetment and Attempt
Connected to:
- Criminal Participation
- Indirect Liability
- Attempted Violations
- Conspiracy Principles
- Penal Responsibility
- Criminal Intent
Administrative Powers Cluster
Power to Enter and Inspect
Connected to:
- Premises Inspection
- Administrative Search Powers
- Regulatory Surveillance
- Municipal Enforcement
- Veterinary Inspection
- Preventive Administration
Public Servant Classification
Connected to:
- Indian Penal Code Section 21
- Official Capacity
- Administrative Immunity
- Government Authority
- Public Duty Protection
- Statutory Office
Good Faith Protection
Connected to:
- Legal Immunity
- Administrative Protection
- State Action Defense
- Public Duty Execution
- Protection from Litigation
- Official Accountability
State Government Authority Cluster
Rule-Making Power
Connected to:
- Official Gazette Notifications
- Delegated Legislation
- Administrative Rule Formation
- Slaughterhouse Regulation
- Certification Procedure
- Regulatory Governance
Delegation of Functions
Connected to:
- Administrative Decentralization
- Officer Authorization
- Executive Power Distribution
- Bureaucratic Governance
- State Supervision
- Legal Delegation
Exemption Powers
Connected to:
- Religious Purposes
- Medicinal Purposes
- Research Authorization
- Conditional Exemptions
- Government Discretion
- Administrative Flexibility
Criminal Law Cluster
Criminal Procedure Integration
Connected to:
- Cognizable Offences
- Police Investigation
- Enforcement Mechanisms
- Criminal Prosecution
- Judicial Proceedings
- Penal Statutes
Indian Penal Code Linkages
Connected to:
- Public Servant Definition
- Criminal Liability
- Abetment Doctrine
- Legal Responsibility
- State Enforcement Authority
- Penal Interpretation
Municipal Governance Cluster
Local Authority Administration
Connected to:
- Municipal Presidents
- Urban Livestock Regulation
- Local Slaughter Control
- Administrative Oversight
- Civic Governance
- Urban Enforcement Structures
Calcutta Jurisdiction
Connected to:
- Calcutta Municipal Act, 1923
- Veterinary Headquarters
- Urban Veterinary Services
- Metropolitan Administration
- Colonial Municipal Legacy
- Local Limits of Jurisdiction
Public Health and Food Policy Cluster
Milk Supply Preservation
Connected to:
- Dairy Economy
- Nutritional Policy
- Food Availability
- Urban Milk Distribution
- Public Nutrition
- Livestock Sustainability
Controlled Slaughter Systems
Connected to:
- Regulated Slaughterhouses
- Hygienic Meat Processing
- Veterinary Inspection
- Food Safety Concerns
- Municipal Monitoring
- Public Consumption Regulation
Agrarian Policy Cluster
Rural Economic Protection
Connected to:
- Agricultural Output
- Plough Animal Conservation
- Village Economy Stability
- Rural Employment Systems
- Livestock Dependency
- Food Production Infrastructure
Animal Power Economy
Connected to:
- Traditional Farming Methods
- Draft Labor Systems
- Pre-Mechanized Agriculture
- Rural Transportation
- Animal Energy Utilization
- Agricultural Sustainability
Constitutional and Governance Cluster
State Legislative Authority
Connected to:
- West Bengal Legislature
- State Regulatory Power
- Concurrent Governance Questions
- Agricultural Regulation
- Local Administration
- Public Welfare Legislation
Executive Governance
Connected to:
- State Government Notifications
- Official Gazette System
- Administrative Orders
- Rule Enforcement
- Bureaucratic Authority
- Regulatory Implementation
Comparative Legal Cluster
Animal Preservation Laws in India
Connected to:
- Cow Protection Legislation
- State Slaughter Regulations
- Livestock Preservation Acts
- Agricultural Protection Policies
- Veterinary Public Laws
- State-Specific Cattle Acts
Religious and Legal Balance
Connected to:
- Religious Exemptions
- Secular Governance
- Ritual Slaughter Questions
- Public Policy Balancing
- Constitutional Accommodation
- Administrative Discretion
Knowledge Web: Cross-Linking Matrix
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Agricultural Productivity
Relationship:
- Protection of Draft Animals
- Preservation of Rural Labor Systems
- Livestock-Based Farming Economy
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Veterinary Governance
Relationship:
- Mandatory Health Certification
- Veterinary Administrative Authority
- Livestock Fitness Evaluation
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Municipal Administration
Relationship:
- Local Enforcement Structure
- Slaughterhouse Regulation
- Civic Oversight Mechanisms
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Criminal Law
Relationship:
- Cognizable Offences
- Penal Enforcement
- Police and Judicial Authority
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Public Health
Relationship:
- Regulated Slaughter
- Food Safety Oversight
- Dairy Supply Preservation
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ State Government
Relationship:
- Rule-Making Powers
- Delegated Authority
- Administrative Supervision
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Rural Bengal Economy
Relationship:
- Preservation of Agricultural Livestock
- Support for Traditional Farming
- Rural Economic Stability
Animal Slaughter Control Act ↔ Religious Exemptions
Relationship:
- Conditional Slaughter Permissions
- State-Controlled Religious Accommodation
- Regulatory Flexibility
See Also
Related Laws
- Calcutta Municipal Act, 1923
- Indian Penal Code
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
- State Cattle Preservation Laws
- Municipal Governance Statutes
- U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act 1955
- Indian Constitution
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023
Related Governance Themes
- Veterinary Administration
- Livestock Regulation
- Municipal Policing Powers
- Agricultural Law
- Food Security Governance
- Public Health Regulation
Related Agricultural Concepts
- Dairy Economy
- Draft Animal Systems
- Rural Agricultural Infrastructure
- Livestock Preservation
- Animal Husbandry
- Agrarian Administration
Related Legal Concepts
- Cognizable Offence
- Delegated Legislation
- Administrative Immunity
- Public Servant Doctrine
- Regulatory Enforcement
- Penal Liability
Related Historical Themes
- Post-Independence Rural Policy
- Bengal Agrarian Economy
- Early State Welfare Legislation
- Livestock-Based Agriculture
- Colonial Municipal Administration
- Indian Agricultural Reconstruction
