Prohibition against slaughter of animals without certificate from competent authority

(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force or any custom or usage to the contrary, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered or offer or cause to be offered for slaughter any animal other than a calf, whether male or female, of a she-buffaloe, unless he has obtained in respect of such animal a certificate in writing from the competent authority appointed for the area 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 the animal is or is likely to become economical for the purpose of,- (a) breeding, or (b) drought or any kind of agricultural operations; or (c) giving milk or bearing off spring: Provided that no certificate under sub section (1) shall be refused to be granted unless the reasons for such refusal are recorded in writing. (3) A certificate under this section shall be granted in such form and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.