(1)

Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force or any usage or custom to the contrary, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered any scheduled animal in any place in the State of Maharashtra, unless he has obtained in respect of such animal a certificate in writing from the competent authority that the animal is fit for slaughter.

(2)

No certificate shall be granted under sub-section (1), if in the opinion of the competent authority,—

(a) the scheduled animal, whether male or female, is or likely to become economical for the purpose of draught or any kind of agricultural operations;

(b) the scheduled animal, if male, is or is likely to become economical for the purpose of breeding;

(c) the scheduled animal, if female, is or is likely to become economical for the purpose of giving milk or bearing offspring.

(3)

The State Government may, on an application by any person aggrieved by an order passed by the competent authority refusing to grant him a certificate, made to it within sixty days from the date of receipt of such order, or at any time suo motu, call for and examine the records of the case for the purpose of satisfying as to the legality or proriety of any order passed by the competent authority under this section, and pass such order in reference thereto as it thinks fit.

(4)

A certificate under this section shall be granted in such form and upon payment of such fees as may be prescribed.

(5)

Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), any order passed by the competent authority granting or refusing to grant a certificate, and any order passed by the State Government under sub-section (3), shall be final and shall not be called in question in any Court.