NO AZAADI FROM STRAY CATTLE, GOVT MISSES AUG 15 DEADLINE

ROHTAK: Haryana will not have respite from the stray cattle menace anytime soon as the state government has failed to meet its deadline for making the state cattle-free. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and gauseva aayog chairman Bhani Ram Mangla had announced to make Haryana stray cattle free by August 15.

However, Mangla now says they could only finish 30% of the work.

He claimed that around 15,000 cattle were still on the roads, and also raised resentment over the living conditions of thousands of bovines that were shifted to gaushalas during the yearlong drive. “We had to halt the process because of shortage of space,” Mangla said.

He said the focus of the government is now on opening more gaushalas and nandishalas across the state to give proper space to the cattle.

The stray cattle problem had increased in Haryana particularly after the government passed tough laws banning cow slaughter with stringent punishment for violations.

Thousands of cows and bulls made the roads their home, disrupting free flow of traffic and causing fatal accidents every day.

The legal provisions have virtually brought the sale of cattle to a halt.

“In Rohtak, we will impose a fine of ₹10,000 on farmers and dairy owners who abandon their cattle.