Picture for representational purpose. Picture for representational purpose.

Days after the Maharashtra government banned beef in the state, the BJP government in Haryana is planning to bring in a similar law with stricter punishment during the ongoing state Budget session.

If the government has its way, there will be a complete ban on sale and storage of beef in the state with provision for stringent action under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code which deals with punishment for murder.

Calling it a dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Haryana Education Minister Rambilas Sharma said cows need to be protected and provisions should be made for their better care.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi really is hurt with the fact that despite cows being sacred in our religion and society, we are one of the largest exporters of beef," said Sharma.

"Before Assembly elections, we had promised the people of Haryana to ban cow slaughter and beef in the state. If someone gets death sentence for killing a person then how can someone get away killing cows," he said.

On March 2, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Maharashtra legislation banning the sale and consumption of beef in the state. Under the new law, anyone found selling beef or possessing it can be jailed for five years and fined Rs 10,000.