Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has joined hands with animal rights organisations to demand stiffer penalty for cruelty to animals.

In a letter to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) at the beginning of the new Parliament session, he called for amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

In his letter, Mr. Tharoor said: “The penalty for cruel treatment of animals under Section 11 of the PCA Act is grossly inadequate, especially in today’s day and age. Despite the increased rate of inflation and other socio-cultural changes, the quantum of penalty has not been reviewed in the last four decades. I hope this issue is given urgent consideration and immediate steps are taken to address it, through a simple amendment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960.” Currently the minimum penalty for the PCA Act is Rs.10 and the maximum is Rs.50. The letter from Mr. Tharoor is in response to a campaign started by leading animal welfare organisations Humane Society International, India, and People for Animals.