印度西部的马哈拉斯特拉邦禁止牛肉，即使是拥有牛肉者也将被判处五年，媒体和该邦首席部长周二说。
India's western state of Maharashtra hasintroduced a ban on beef so strict that even possession could land you in jailfor five years, media reports and the chief minister said Tuesday.
印度主要人口印度教徒认为牛是神圣的，已经有几个邦禁止屠杀牛。但是该邦——印度商业中心孟买的所在地——的这项最新措施更加严厉，销售或者拥有牛肉者将被判处5年刑期或者1万卢比（160美元）罚金。
The country's Hindu majority considers cowssacred, and several states already ban their slaughter. But the latest measures in Maharashtra --home to India's commercial centre Mumbai -- go even further, making the sale orpossession of beef an offence punishable by a five-year jail term or a 10,000rupee ($160) fine.
印度媒体报道，在总统慕克吉同意一项法律修正案后，这个措施才成为了法律。该修正案在20年前就被该邦议会通过了，但是从来没有交给总统批准。
The Indian Express newspaper said themeasures became law after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to a legalamendment -- which was passed by the state parliament two decades ago, but wasnever sent to a president for approval.
这项措施禁止屠杀公牛和小牛，除非拥有兽医证书。屠杀水牛依然是合法的。
The measures include a ban on the slaughterof bulls and bullocks, hitherto legal with a vet's certificate, although itwill still be legal to slaughter buffalo.