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In an embarrassment to the Narendra Modi government, a war of words broke out on Thursday between union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekarafter Gandhi accused Javadekar of permitting the "killing of animals" across the country.
Gandhi said she could not understand the ministry's "lust for killing animals".
"Environment ministry is writing to every state, asking which animal should be killed and that they will give permission for it," Gandhi, a well-known animal rights activist, told reporters.
"In Bengal , they have permitted the killing of elephants, in Himachal Pradesh they have ordered killing of monkeys, and in Goa they gave permission to kill peacocks. I don't understand their lust for killing animals," she said.
Defending his position, Javadekar said that "such permissions are given on the recommendation of state governments".
Javadekar stated: "When state governments write to us about farmers' suffering due to crop damage by animals, then such permissions are given. It is on the recommendation of state governments. This is not a central government programme, as it is an existing law."
Later, the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a statement that it has not given permission to kill either deer, peacocks or elephants.
Countering Gandhi's allegations, the ministry in a statement said that no amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has been made to this effect.
"There are many complaints from members of parliament, people's representatives, state governments and farmers about their crops getting heavily damaged in certain parts of the country. There also, the process has been laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, under Section 62."
Modi's ministers squabble over 'animal killings' - Times of India
Gandhi said she could not understand the ministry's "lust for killing animals".
"Environment ministry is writing to every state, asking which animal should be killed and that they will give permission for it," Gandhi, a well-known animal rights activist, told reporters.
"In Bengal , they have permitted the killing of elephants, in Himachal Pradesh they have ordered killing of monkeys, and in Goa they gave permission to kill peacocks. I don't understand their lust for killing animals," she said.
Defending his position, Javadekar said that "such permissions are given on the recommendation of state governments".
Javadekar stated: "When state governments write to us about farmers' suffering due to crop damage by animals, then such permissions are given. It is on the recommendation of state governments. This is not a central government programme, as it is an existing law."
Later, the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a statement that it has not given permission to kill either deer, peacocks or elephants.
Countering Gandhi's allegations, the ministry in a statement said that no amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has been made to this effect.
"There are many complaints from members of parliament, people's representatives, state governments and farmers about their crops getting heavily damaged in certain parts of the country. There also, the process has been laid down in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, under Section 62."
Modi's ministers squabble over 'animal killings' - Times of India
