Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran has written to the Central government flagging serious concerns over the proposed Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2026, urging the Ministry to withdraw the draft in its current form and initiate a comprehensive review.
The proposed rules, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, represent the first major update to animal welfare standards in nearly two decades. While the Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying has stated the draft aims to align India's regulations with international best practices, critics argue the process has excluded key scientific and veterinary voices. Maran's letter adds a significant political dimension to the debate, which has already drawn responses from animal rights NGOs, veterinary associations, and research institutions across the country.
In his correspondence, Maran emphasized that the draft rules, as currently drafted, overlook ground-level veterinary expertise and fail to incorporate recent scientific findings on animal sentience and welfare. His call for a review in consultation with independent experts reflects a growing demand for transparent evidence-based policymaking in the sector. Officials at the Ministry have yet to issue a formal response, though sources indicate the draft is undergoing internal deliberations.
Political analysts view Maran's intervention as a signal that the draft rules will face intensified scrutiny before any final notification. The Ministry is expected to convene a multi-stakeholder consultation in the coming weeks, potentially incorporating recommendations from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute and leading animal welfare scientists. If the government accedes to the review request, the timeline for the Rules' implementation could be delayed beyond the projected 2026 rollout, reshaping the regulatory landscape for pet care livestock and wildlife protection nationwide.