CHENNAI: Bringing an end to the stalemate on the Jallikattu issue, Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam today announced that an ordinance would be promulgated by his government within a day or two to bypass the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act).
The chief minister appealed to the public and students who are agitating against the ban on Jallikattu to end their agitation.
Announcing this to media persons in Delhi, Panneerselvam said: “When I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, he assured me that the Centre would support the efforts taken by the state government. Following this, I stayed back in Delhi and consulted senior officials about bringing in state-level amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It has been decided to bring such an amendment to the Central government’s law. Further, it has also been decided to make this amendment in the form of an ordinance.”
The chief minister further said the draft ordinance was sent to the Union Home Ministry this morning by top officials of the Tamil Nadu government. These officials would stay back in Delhi to take further steps to make the ordinance ready for promulgation by the state government.
Panneerselvam also explained that as per the Constitution of India, the draft ordinance should be sent to Union Home Ministry. If the ministry recommends it, it would be forwarded to the President. Once the President gives his assent to the ordinance, the state governor would promulgate it.
Read the full text of the statement below:
“As promised by the Prime Minister, the Centre will extend all support to this effort of the state government. So the ban on Jallikattu will be lifted in a day or two. As such, I appeal to the general public, the students and members of various organisations who are agitating for this cause to give up their agitations,” he added.