Haryana Govt to ensure 'pasture lands' are used for cattle only, says minister

State Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister Shyam Singh Rana today said that the state government was working for the welfare of cows and it would make efforts to ensure that "pasture lands" are used for cattle only as such lands were being given on lease for agricultural purposes by panchayats.

Rana said, “Our ancestors had left pasture lands (gaucharand) for the cows in the village, where they used to go to graze, but according to a court’s decision in 1965, the gaucharand land went to the panchayats. Such lands are being given on lease by the panchayats. The government has been working for the welfare of cows and it will make efforts to get these lands released.”

He was speaking on the occasion of Gopashtami at Sri Krishan Kripa Gaushala in Kurukshetra.

Rana said, “Cows play an important role in an agricultural field. The previous government didn’t pay attention toward the welfare of cows, but the BJP government started working in this direction. The government has been encouraging gaushalas in the state and has also constituted Gau Seva Aayog.”

About the shortage of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser in the state, the minister said, “DAP is imported from South Africa, for which a two-year prior booking is done. Daily fresh stocks are arriving and there is no shortage of DAP in the state. DAP is to be used in the next two months but the farmers want to get the entire stock of their requirement in one go, which creates some issues. We will ensure that the farmers don’t face any inconvenience. Congress leaders are disturbed as they failed to form their government and now they just want to keep their politics alive by making statements regarding this issue.”

He announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the gaushala. Meanwhile, Swami Gyananand, a saint who is known for his research on Bhagavad Gita, said that people should not leave their cows on roads. The government should work to make Haryana free of stray cattle and everyone should fulfill their duty in this direction. The administration was doing its job but the society should also contribute, he said.

Rana attended another event in Ladwa on the occasion of Gopashtami at Akhand Hanuman Gaushala and announced to give a grant of Rs 5 lakh.

He requested the Agriculture Minister to get a study done through his department for a separate department for cows on the lines of Directorate of Gopalan in Rajasthan.

Chairman, Haryana Livestock Development Board, Dharmveer Mirzapur said, “The state government has been running various schemes to encourage gaushalas. Medical camps are also being organised for animals.”