Cows in India to get Aadhaar-like unique numbers: Govt in SC

The central government will soon approve tamperproof identity tags for all cattle in the country that will document a range of data, including a unique number and the type of their horn and tail, solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court on Monday.

A government-appointed panel headed by a joint secretary of the Union home ministry came up with the idea as part of efforts to prevent illegal transportation of cattle and livestock to Bangladesh.

The panel’s report was submitted to the top court on Monday, and Kumar told the bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar that the government backed the suggestions.

“The government will issue a formal notification soon,” Kumar said.

The polyurethane tags will contain identification details such as the age, breed, sex, lactation, height, colour, horn type, tail switch and special marks of cattle heads and its “progeny”.

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition to stop the smuggling of cattle to be slaughtered at beef export units.

Focus on cow protection, especially by vigilante groups, has risen since the Bjp-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power at the Centre three years ago.

There has been a string of cowrelated violence but many state governments, particularly those ruled by the BJP, have defended the action on the grounds that the animal is considered holy by many Hindus.