Programme to rehabilitate stray cattle initiated

Chandigarh, August 16, 2013: Taking stringent steps to control the menace of stray cattle in the state, the Punjab government has chalked out an extensive plan to overcome the problem and also to rehabilitate the stray cattle.

Stating this here today, Gulzar Singh ranike, Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab said that stray cattle were a constant source of problems to the society and their population was rising day by day. Sometimes fatal accidents were caused due to their unmanaged presence on the roads. At present, there were about one lac stray cattle in Punjab. Expressing concern over the problem, the Minister said that they feed themselves on the standing crops and thereby damaging the valuable crops of the farmers besides causing traffic hazards.

The Minister said that the state government would spend an amount of one crore during the year 2013-14 to suitably rehabilitate the stray cattle especially the cows providing them home to these vagabond cattle i.e. maintenance ration, a minimum level of health cover and the home care. Under this rehabilitation scheme, the department would also assist Gau Sewa Board, Punjab/NGOs/Animal Welfare Board of Punjab for strengthening of Gaushalas/animal shelters.

The Minister also said that the newly launched scheme would not only ensure the clean and hygienic environment which was threatened with cow dung spread all over especially on roads. For want of adequate attention, the stray cattle sometimes suffered badly due to starvation, accidents and unkind behaviour of the people. Keeping all the facts in mind and providing appropriate place for the stray cattle, the Punjab government launched such scheme in the larger public interest.