Protecting stray cattles, Yogi Sarkar approves setting up of ‘gauvansh ashray asthals’ in rural and urban areas

With the framework of protecting stray cattles in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the state cabinet on Tuesday decided on approving a plan to set up and run temporary ‘gauvansh ashray asthals’ under the urban and rural civic bodies.

Chairing the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave a nod to set up the temporary gauvansh asthals’ and and said a “cow welfare cess” will be imposed for the same. The state government has stated that in every district, both urban and rural areas, the state will build a cowshed with capacity of minimum 1,000 animals will be built. Along with this, a total of 2% ‘cow cess welfare’ will be imposed on excise, mandi parishad, profitable corporations and others.

The decision came with the move of stating that the farmers are taking mechanised route and therefore, more and more cattle owners are deserting their animals. The new policy will ensure that the stray animals are taken care of and the concerned departments will work with the state government to bring out good results.

Approving the same, it has been notified that these cow sheds will be opened in all villages, panchayats, municipalities, nagar panchayats and municipal corporations.

Besides aiding the animal husbandry department, these ‘ashray asthals’ will be working on a self-sustaining model. Last week, the chief minister had directed the officials to make immediate arrangements for proper care of stray cows.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered removal of illegal encroachments to pave the way for fresh grazing grounds in different parts of the state.

In a meeting with senior officials, the chief minister asked them to set up a committee to consider measures for providing better shelter facilities to stray cows and directed Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey to be present with recommendations in a week’s time.