India, July 18 -- The state government said on Thursday it would strengthen the law banning cow slaughter by enhancing the punishment for repeat offenders. The announcement was made amid concerns raised by legislators of the ruling parties that cow slaughter was "rampant" in the state despite the ban on beef. The government also announced a state-wide drive against illegal slaughter houses.

Replying to a question in the legislative assembly on Thursday, minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam said stricter action would be taken against repeat offenders. BJP legislator Sanjay Upadhyay and other MLAs from his party and the Shiv Sena said cow slaughter was "rampant" despite the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amended) Act, 2015 being in pl...