Desi cows to get special dairy units

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday spelled out a slew of measures being planned to protect cows, including the creation of exclusive dairies for indigenous breeds and curbing illegal slaughtering and smuggling. A day-long seminar was held in this regard during which Union ministers Prakash Javadekar (environment) and Radha Mohan Singh (agriculture) said that the government will spare no effort to protect the bovine. They said that the protection of the animal is necessary as it is the “backbone” of the country's economy.

Another measure which is being planned to conserve gauvansh (cow clan) and gaushalas (cowsheds) is to produce cow fodder under MGNREGA.

The programme, however, was interrupted briefly by gau workers who protested and sloganeered against the “inadequate” infrastructure and funds for the protection of cows.

A number of people in the audience alleged that no support was being received from the government. Both the ministers had to pacify them before going ahead with their speeches.

Mr Javadekar, while addressing participants, said his ministry is working on a plan to ensure that gauchar bhoomi (grazing land) is protected and government programmes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme be utilised to produce healthy grass for cows which can be subsequently given “free” to farmers and people who have livestock.

He added that various animal welfare boards in the country will be directed to take “immediate cognisance” of incidents like smuggling and cruelty to cows and send a report to his ministry in one or two months.