Govt sets up panel for study on benefits of cow

The government has set up a 19-member panel, including three members linked to the RSS and the VHP, to carry out what it says will be scientifically validated research on cow-derivatives, including its urine, and their benefits, according to an interdepartmental circular and the members of the panel.

Headed by science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan, the committee will select projects that can help scientifically validate the benefits of panchgavya — the concoction of cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd and ghee — in various spheres such as nutrition, health and agriculture, says the circular accessed by PTI.

Named the National Steering Committee, the panel includes secretaries of the departments of science and technology, biotechnology, ministry of new and renewable energy, and scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.

It also has three members of Vigyan Bharti and “Go-Vigyan Anusandhan Kendra”, outfits affiliated to the RSS and VHP.

The government circular says former CSIR director R.A. Mashelkar, known for vigorously campaigning against US patents on turmeric and basmati rice, is also a member of the panel.

The others include IITDelhi director V. Ramgopal Rao and V.K. Vijay of IIT’s Centre for Rural Development and Technology.

The development comes at a time when the cow has become an emotive issue in the country with increased incidents of socalled “gaurakshaks” lynching cattle traders and others suspected of smuggling cows.