Appointment and functions of Competent Authority

(1) The State Governrnent may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a person or a body of persons to perform the functions of a Competent Authority under this Act for such local area as may be specified in the notification. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force or any usage to the contrary, no person shall slaughter or cause to be slaughtered a cow unless, he obtains in respect of such cow a certificate in writing from the competent Authority appointed for that area, where the cow is to be slaughtered. (3) The State Government may, at any time for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the legality or propriety of any order passed by a Competent Authority granting or refusing to grant any certificate under this section, call for and examine the records of the case and may pass such order in reference thereto as it thinks fit. (4) A certificate under this section shall be granted in such form and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed. (5) 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. (6) No animal in respect of which a certificate has been issued under this section shall be slaughtered in any place other than a place specified by such authority or officer as the Government may appoint in this behalf. (7) For the purpose of this Act, the Competent Authority or any person authorized in this behalf by the Competent Authority (hereinafter referred to as the authorized person) shall have power to enter and inspect any premises where the Competent Authority or the authorized person has reasons to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is likely to be committed. (8) Every person in occupation of any such premises shall allow the competent Authority or the authorized person such access to the premises as may be necessary for the aforesaid purpose and shall answer to the best of his knowledge and belief any question put to him by the Competent Authority or by the authorized person.