Writes a letter to Prime Minister TG MP’s call to amend PCA

Telangana MP Porika Balram Naik urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960, through a letter on July 26.  
The MP emphasised the urgent need to table the new animal welfare bill (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill 2022) in the current session of Parliament to ensure a safe and humane society for both – humans and animals. The letter outlined the need to increase the penalty for crimes against animals. Currently, the maximum fine for even the most heinous crime against animals-including beating, poisoning, raping or burning an animal-is a mere Rs 50 (and Rs 100 for repeat offenders).
The amendments proposed for the latest Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Amendment) Bill 2022 are an increase of fine from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000 or upto Rs 2,500, whereas for a second offence, Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 or an imprisonment of six months to one year, or both. It recognises five fundamental freedoms for every animal-freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal and natural behavior.  The Amendment includes provisions for State Animal Welfare Boards, ensuring infrastructure to meet effective implementation requirements as directed by the Supreme Court.
It also proposes adding a new Section 11(4), which mandates the maintenance of a record of all cases filed under this Act at the district headquarters. Extensive research consistently shows a connection between animal cruelty and acts of violence against humans. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate cases of animal cruelty into crime statistics databases. This inclusion will enable informed decision-making and the formulation of preventive strategies aimed at creating a safer society. The provisions concerning ‘cruelty’ have been refined and categorised according to the severity of the act. Mousumi Gupta, Director of Government affairs, Humane Society International/India said, “The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is outdated and inadequate in addressing the severity of crimes against animals.
It’s disheartening to see that even the most heinous acts of cruelty carry minimal penalties. The time for change is now, and we are grateful for the support of the MPs who recognise the urgent need for stronger animal protection laws.” Over 140 MPs, including Hema Malini, Pankaj Chaudhary, Arjun Lal Meena, Dr K. Laxman, Margani Bharat Ram, Dr Mohammed Jawed and Raja Amreshwara Naik supported Balram Naik and wrote to the Prime Minister requesting that the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022 be brought up for discussion.