A surprise inspection at a government-run cowshed in Kanpur district has exposed severe negligence and mismanagement, leading to the suspension of a village panchayat secretary. The inspection, carried out on Friday, revealed that 71 cattle were unaccounted for from the official register, and two animals were found dead on the premises.
Inspection Uncovers Shocking Conditions
The inspection team was led by SDM Bilhaur Sanjeev Dixit and Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. IDN Chaturvedi. They visited the cowshed located in Garhi Biharipur village within the Bilhaur block. The officials were auditing the facility against the registered count of 230 animals.
What they discovered was alarming. The physical headcount fell drastically short. 71 cattle were missing, with no satisfactory explanation from the staff. To make matters worse, two animals were discovered dead within the shed complex.
Gross Mismanagement and Negligence
The investigation pointed to systemic failures and apparent dereliction of duty. Out of the eight cowherds assigned to care for the animals, only three were present during the inspection. None of them could provide any details about the whereabouts of the missing cattle.
Further evidence of malpractice emerged. While official records showed that fodder for all 230 registered animals was being consumed, the on-ground reality was starkly different. The fodder and oilcake warehouse was completely empty. Additionally, the site meant for storing bran and other areas of the cowshed were found in a filthy state, indicating a complete lack of basic cleanliness protocols.
Villagers Voice Their Concerns
During the inspection, local villagers provided crucial information to the officials. They reported that the boundary wall of the cowshed was broken at multiple points. This damage allowed animals to wander out frequently, leading to incidents where they damaged standing crops in nearby fields.
The villagers also alleged that the village panchayat officer visited the facility only once or twice a month. They claimed no proper arrangements for cleanliness or maintenance were ever made, leaving the animals in a pitiable state.
Immediate Actions and Official Response
SDM Sanjeev Dixit did not mince words, stating, "The condition of the cowshed was found to be extremely poor. Prima facie, the negligence of village panchayat officer Samir Kumar has come to light."
Based on the damning inspection report, the District Magistrate ordered the immediate suspension of Village Panchayat Secretary Samir Kumar. Furthermore, an explanation has been demanded from the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kakwan block to ascertain higher-level accountability.
The officials also took immediate steps to arrange for the proper disposal of the two dead cattle found on the site. The case highlights critical lapses in the management of state-run animal shelters and raises serious questions about the monitoring mechanisms in place.
