SHIMLA:Till date the state government of Himachal Pradesh has provided shelter to 17, 407 destitute cows in the state, stated Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar while presiding over the 4th meeting of Himachal Pradesh Gau Seva Aayog and reviewed the progress of the Aayog in Shimla on Saturday.
Panchayati Raj Minister said that the State Government was committed to strengthen the cow sanctuaries and cow shelters in the state to protect destitute cows. He said the state government was taking various initiatives for the protection, rehabilitation and providing shelter to the cattle that were abandoned by their owners in various parts of state. Minister said that efforts would be made to make Himachal a model state in providing shelter to destitute cows. He also appreciated the endeavour's of the
official and non official members of the Gau Seva Aayog. He said that from April 1, 2021 till July 13, 2021, the Aayog received the income of approximately Rs. 12.44 crore crore and during this period made an expenditure of approximately Rs. 8.71
crore.
Mr Kanwar said that an assistance of Rs 2.85 crore has been provided from
March 2021 till June 2021 under 'Assistance to Gausadan/ Gaushala/ Cow
Sanctuary' scheme in which Rs. 500 per cow per month was provided to
Gausadans/Gaushalas/ cow sanctuaries as maintenance allowance.
Minister said that Gau Seva Aayog would soon launch a Website of the Aayog
to facilitate people with information regarding it, which would also have a payment
gateway for donation. He also stressed on the urgent need to tag the cows in order
to update the records.
Vice Chairman Gau Seva Aayog Ashok Sharma, Secretary Animal Husbandry
Dr. Ajay Sharma, Secretary Rural Development Sandeep Bhatnagar, Director Animal
Husbandry Dr. Ajmer Singh, Official and non-official members of Gau Seva Aayog
were also present in the meeting.