Punjab: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act and the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Bullock Cart Races) Rules, 2025. After being passed in the state assembly, these will allow bullock cart races in all rural sports events held across the state. Bullock cart races were an integral part of rural sports events across the state, but for one reason or the other, it faced several hurdles. The Supreme Court had banned bullock cart races in all rural sports events, including the “Rural Olympics” or Kila Raipur Games, in 2014. In 2019, after the ban on these races was lifted, the Punjab Assembly passed a bill to allow the sport in Kila Raipur. The bill finally got the President’s assent in 2024. Now, to regulate animal sports events in the state, the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Event and Mela) Rules, 2025 have been approved. The main objective of these rules is to provide safety measures for animals participating in the games with adequate veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration/documentation for all rural sports events and penalties for violations. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said, “This will help in saving the indigenous cattle breeds of Punjab besides promoting traditional sports in villages.” Meanwhile, the Cabinet also gave its consent to amend the Punjab State Development Act 2018 by defining the term salary in the Act. This move will broaden the tax base and ensure wider coverage of taxpayers across the state. Against the monthly tax liability of Rs 200 of a taxpayer, he will be given another option to make a lump sum payment of Rs 2200 for the entire financial year by April 30 of the new financial year. This will simplify tax compliance and improve collection and efficiency.
Punjab: Government clears way for bullock cart racing in rural sports events
