Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 10: Kambala bill, which is meant to give legal backing to holding of Kambalas, a traditional folk sport of coastal region of Karnataka, got cabinet nod on Thursday November 9. With this, decks have been cleared for the tabling of the bill at the Belagavi session of the legislature beginning on November 13.

The cabinet meeting was presided by chief minister, Siddaramaiah. As People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) approached court alleging that Kambala results in inflicting violence to animals, the sport had been suspended and it faced the threat of getting totlaly stopped. The state government, in order to allow it to be organized, brought changes to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act through an ordinance that is valid till January 20 next year. The bill has to become law before January 20 in order to allow Kambala to be held without any problems.

PETA's petition seeking stay on the above ordinance is before the Supreme Court now. The court, which has refused to issue interim stay, has posted the case for hearing to November 13.

The cabinet meeting also gave its approval for revised estimate for the construction of Rani Abbakka Bhavana at Ullal near Mangaluru. The state government has already released two crore rupees for the project, and as per the request received for revision of the estimate, approval was given, said law minister, Jayachandra.