Ladwa (Kurukshetra): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that protecting indigenous cow breeds and eliminating stray cattle are key priorities, as he announced a series of measures to strengthen gaushalas and cattle welfare in the state.
At a fodder grant event held at Shri Krishna Gaushala Society, Saini, along with his wife Suman Saini, performed gau puja and distributed Rs 70.24 lakh to 11 gaushalas located in Ladwa and Thanesar. The event marked the distribution of financial assistance for fodder procurement.
Incentives for Indigenous Breeds
Saini highlighted that under the Centre's Rashtriya Gokul Mission, incentives ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 are being provided for rearing indigenous breeds such as Haryana, Sahiwal, and Belahi. These breeds are known for their resilience and adaptability to local conditions.
Cow Sanctuaries and Infrastructure
The Chief Minister said that cow sanctuaries have been established in Nain (Panipat) and Dhandur (Hisar), with Rs 8 crore already released for their development. For the financial year 2025-26, a provision of Rs 10 lakh per gaushala has been made for constructing sheds in 51 gaushalas, out of which 21 have already received funding.
He also announced the expansion of veterinary infrastructure, including the establishment of seven new dispensaries and four hospitals. This move aims to improve healthcare services for cattle across the state.
Fodder Subsidy and Research Centre
Saini revealed that Rs 228.58 crore has been released as fodder subsidy to 619 gaushalas this year, taking the total amount disbursed over the last 11 years to Rs 526.45 crore. Additionally, a research centre for panchgavya products has been set up in Panchkula to promote value-added products derived from cow dung, urine, milk, curd, and ghee.
Growth in Registered Gaushalas
The Chief Minister noted that the number of registered gaushalas in Haryana has increased from 215 in 2014 to 697, now sheltering over four lakh cattle. Solar plants have been installed in 330 gaushalas, and the state aims to make all gaushalas solar-powered by 2026-27.
Gaushalas are being provided subsidised power at Rs 2 per unit, stamp duty exemption for land, and support for producing eco-friendly products. To encourage the removal of stray cattle from roads, incentives of Rs 300 per calf, Rs 600 per cow, and Rs 800 per bull are being provided to gaushalas that take them in.
Strict Penalties Under Gauvansh Protection Act
Citing the Haryana Gauvansh Protection and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, Saini said that strict penalties are in place for cow slaughter and smuggling. He called for community participation to make gaushalas self-reliant and urged people to contribute to the welfare of cows.
The event underscored the state government's commitment to cattle protection and the promotion of indigenous breeds, with a focus on sustainable management of stray cattle and enhancing the infrastructure of gaushalas.
