Chandigarh, Haryana Bureau of Public Enterprises Chairman Mohan Lal Kaushik said measures are being taken to address the problem of stray cattle in villages and cities across the state, including developing four ‘Gau Vanns’.
Presiding over a meeting with office-bearers of the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog here on Monday, Kaushik said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed gram panchayats to provide at least 10 acres of ‘Gochar’ land to gaushalas to ensure adequate fodder for cows. Around 70,000 cows are currently roaming on roads across the state, he said, adding that the cooperation of the Gau Seva Aayog, gram panchayats and urban local bodies is being sought to provide them shelter in gaushalas and Gau Vanns, according to an official statement. Around 40,000 cows are currently housed in nearly 707 registered gaushalas in the state.
A drive is being undertaken to shift the remaining cattle to additional gaushalas, Kaushik said.
E-rickshaws will soon be provided to registered gaushalas across the state. The government has set a target of providing ₹ 300 crore as fodder grant to gaushalas this year, Kaushik said. A proposal has been sent for constructing iron sheds in 200 gaushalas this year. Financial assistance of ₹ 10 lakh is provided for each shed, while sheds were constructed in 49 gaushalas last year, he said.
Kaushik said developing gaushalas and Gau Vanns, providing safe shelter to cattle and ensuring fodder and other facilities for them are among the government’s key objectives. The ‘Gau Seva Raths’ will be used to provide assistance to injured and sick cows, he said.
