TN govt drops mandatory insurance for jallikattu

FOLLOWING stiff opposition from jallikattu organisers to the mandatory provision of offering insurance coverage for spectators and bull tamers, fixed at ₹5 lakh per person and capped at ₹1 crore per event, the government has decided to instead accept a bank guarantee of ₹20 lakh in lieu of the insurance coverage.

- B ANBUSELVAN

Official sources from the animal husbandry department told TNIE that the insurance requirement was introduced following deaths of spectators and bull tamers in Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Dharmapuri, and Tiruchy districts last year. A maximum of four persons will get the insurance coverage per event.

Event organisers, however, found it difficult to comply with the rule as insurance companies were reluctant to offer coverage especially for bull tamers who are classified as high-risk participants. After multiple appeals, the government authorised district collectors to accept ₹20 lakh bank guarantee from organisers.