Panel sets cow urine price at ₹10/L

RAIPUR: BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh’s official body for bovine welfare has a recommended buying cow urine from cattle owners to discourage the people from abandoning their livestock.

Visheshar Patel, the chairman of the state’s Gau Sewa Ayog, told Hindustan Times , on Tuesday that the urine can be used for research to develop different products including fertilisers and pesticides.

Patel’s comments came days after nearly 200 cows were found dead in three shelters run by a BJP leader, sparking criticism of the Raman Singh gov- ernment which has made cow protection part of its official agenda.

“We have sent this proposal and we believe that cow urine should be purchased by the government at ~10 per litre. If this project starts, the people of the state who are abandoning the cows will keep them home for monetary benefits,” Patel added.

“Dus nahi.. paanch ya saat rupaye bhi per litre ho jayega to kisan gaayo ko ghar mein rakhenge... raste mein nahi chhodenge (Even if the people get ~5-7, the people will not abandon their cows),” he added.

Many people abandon their cows after the animals stop giving milk or turn infirm due to old age, often leading to bovine deaths due to hunger and illness.

The cow commission has estimated Chhattisgarh’s cow population to be 92 lakh bovines. It also runs 115 cowsheds in different parts of the state.

He said, cow urine will be used to make “pesticide (jaivik keetniyantrak) and fertiliser (jeevamirt khaad)” besides “amritpaani”, which he described as a miracle solution that could revitalise barren land.

BJP leaders and other groups affiliated to the party have been making many claims about medicinal and other benefits of cow urine, which experts say are not scientifically proven.