Himachal seeks ‘rashtra mata’ tag for cow

THE STATE ALSO PLANS TO USE 15% TEMPLE OFFERINGS TO MAINTAIN COWSHEDS. CM ALSO ANNOUNCED TO LEVY 1 % CESS ON EVERY BOTTLE OF LIQUOR SOLD

DHARAMSHALA: The Himachal Pradesh assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution to declare cow the “rashtra mata” or mother of the nation.

Kasumpti legislator Anirudh Singh, who moved the resolution, sought the assembly to discus formation of a policy to declare cow as mother of the nation.

In his maiden budget speech earlier this year, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur announced to levy 1% cess on the sale of every bottle of liquor to generate revenue for maintenance of cow shelters in the state.

Besides, 15% of temple offer- ings would also be used to maintain cowsheds.

In his reply, animal husbandry minister Virender Kanwar said the matter was under the preview of the Centre.

“The state government has already brought a bill on conservation and welfare of cows,” said Kanwar.

A Gau Seva Aayog, a cow commission, will be set up which will regulate institutions established for the welfare of cows. It will help in conservation of indigenous breeds.”

The minister told the assembly that as per the 2012 cattle census, there were 21.94 lakh cows in the state. Kanwar said as per recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee, cow sanctuaries were proposed to be set up in all districts. “Foundation stone of a sanctuary at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district has already been laid and ₹1.52 crore have been sanctioned for its construction,” the minister said.

The Uttarakhand assembly in September had unanimously passed a resolution declaring cow as the ‘Rashtra Mata’ or the mother of the nation.