Punjab cabinet approves new law to ensure quality control of cattle feed and boost milk production

Chandigarh, August 28: With an aim to boost milk production in the state, the Punjab government has approved a new draft Bill to ensure quality control of cattle feed. 

The cabinet of Punjab headed by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday gave its green signal to "The Punjab Regulation of Compounded Cattle-feed, Concentrates & Mineral Mixtures Act, 2018" that seeks to exercise quality control on compounded cattle feed, concentrates and mineral mixtures used in the dairy sector.

The state government had promulgated the Punjab Regulation of Compounded Cattle-feed, Concentrates and Mineral Mixtures Order, 1988, which was issued under Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The department had been taking action under this Order to exert quality control on compounded cattle feed, concentrates and mineral mixtures.

Notably, the Government of India, through Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2006 amended Essential Commodities Act, 1955, omitted Clause-A of Section-2. Clause (A) (i) of Section-2 of the Act covered cattle fodder including oil cakes and other concentrates. This led to removal of cattle fodder, including oil cakes and other concentrates, from the jurisdiction of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

However, with the dairy sector growing manifold in Punjab, the need was felt to bring in quality control for cattle feed. The main objective of the new legislation will be to regulate manufacturing, distribution, storage and sale of cattle feed concentrates and mineral mixtures in the state.

Every manufacturer and dealer would be under obligation to register themselves to fulfill the laid down standards. In case of any violation, they would be liable for penalty under the provisions of the new Act.