Punjab rolls out comprehensive plan to tackle menace of stray cattle

Chandigarh, April 9, 2015: The Punjab Government has rolled out a comprehensive and strategic plan to resolve the menace of stray animals in districts by forming ‘Cattle Welfare Societies’ in all 22 districts under Deputy Commissioners.

Disclosing this, Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said that Deputy Commissioner in each district will lead the District Cattle Welfare Society as chairman while Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) as Member Secretary. He said the societies will work in tandem with general public to curb this menace besides taking necessary steps to cure the ailing animals wandering on road sides. He said the committee will also have the representatives of Municipal Corporations/Council along SSP and Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry as members. The Minister said that government will also nominate 10 more members from Gaushalas and other prominent faces in the field of social welfare.  

The Minister also informed that the menace of stray animals will be resolved strategically and for this purpose Punjab is all set to establish Cattle Ponds in each district. He said these ponds will be setup on 25 acres of Panchayti land with a capacity of keeping 2000 stray animals each. He said in 12 districts named Moga, Mansa, S.B.S. Nagar, Sangrur, Mohali, Kapurthala, Fathegarh Sahib, Faridkot, Patiala, Amritsar, Barnala and Fazilka, the required chunks of land have been identified. Ranike said these ponds will become operational by the end of this year.

Ranike said necessary instructions have been given to all societies in view to tackle the menace of stray cattle. He said under first instalment a grant of Rs. 5 lakh has been released for each society.