Call to set up cow ministry in MP

bhopal — Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Gau Samvardhan Board (cow protection board) Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri has sought formation of ‘Cow Ministry’ in the state.

As per the board’s proposal to the government, the ministry can avail of a part of the funds earmarked for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act works.

“When Anand Mantralaya (Ministry of Happiness) can be constituted, why can’t there be a Gau Mantralaya? Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself keeps a cow at his residence. The Gau Samvardhan Board has prepared a proposal and conveyed it to the CM,” the religious leader said.

Last week, Giri was elevated to the rank of cabinet minister. Earlier he enjoyed the rank of minister

When Anand

Mantralaya (Ministry of Happiness) can be constituted, why can’t there be a Gau

Mantralaya? Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan himself keeps a cow at his residence. Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, cow protection board chairman

of state. “Currently matters related to the cow are dealt with by the Animal Husbandry Department. We want a ministry exclusively for the cow. The cow should be kept out of the animal category,” Giri said.

The board has a meagre annual budget of Rs 16 crore and no powers, so a separate ministry is needed, he said. The ministry can promote “cow-related industry”, create jobs for rural youth and conduct research in the field of cow breeding, he said.

Rajasthan has set up a directorate for cows, but it too is inadequate, he opined.

“Over 150,000 cows are taken care of at 604 registered Gaushalas (cow shelters) in MP. Around the same number roam free on roads. The number of cows is expected to increase by 25 per cent in the next livestock census,” he said.

“The board has proposed that out of MNREGA funds (around Rs150 billion for the state), Rs 10 billion can be given to the cow ministry. MNREGA also covers works related to livestock protection,” Giri said. —