New Delhi: Bringing a smile on the faces of animal lovers all over the country, BJP’s Poonam Mahajan today moved a private bill in the Parliament seeking increased punishments for animal cruelty, here on Tuesday.

Moved through an amendment of the Prevention of Cruelties to Animals Act, the bill has been introduced following a nationwide campaign, called #NoMore50, started by the Humane Society International/India, various welfare organisations, and People for Animals, to increase the penalties for animal cruelty.

Notable persons from the field of politics, cinema, sports, and academics, along with the general public were involved in the campaign that kick-started on May 12, 2016, to end animal cruelty by increasing punishment to the offenders.

Introducing the bill in the Parliament, Poonam Mahajan said that there was an urgent need to amend the penal provisions of the Act in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“There is also a need to prevent the unnecessary pain and suffering to animals and to ensure that the Act serves as a deterrent to animal abusers,” she added.