Against capacity of 2K cattle heads, only 300 housed at govt-run pound

A large number of cattle heads can be seen roaming freely on the roads, but the pound set up by the state government at Ratta Tibba village here currently houses only 300 cattle heads, against its total capacity of 2,000.

According to sources, initially stray cattle were brought here from Muktsar, Malout and Gidderbaha towns, however, for almost a year, no new cattle head has been brought in from these towns. The cattle pound has an adequate supply of dry fodder for the existing cattle.

Sources further said there were 10 workers and a manager assigned to the cattle pound. In addition, the pound is equipped with a large weighing scale and a tractor.

“The cattle pound is located nearly 30 km from both Muktsar and Malout towns. I think there is little awareness among public about it. The pound currently needs maintenance and funds, especially with the winter season starting. There are hardly any arrangements to protect the cattle from the chilly weather. On average, two to three cattle heads die every week due to various reasons. At the same time, the same number of stray cattle are brought in by residents of some neighbouring villages each week, keeping the number of cattle almost the same,” sources said.

Meanwhile, Baljit Singh, whose wife Jasveer Kaur is a former sarpanch of Ratta Tibba village, said, “There is no representative from our village in the cattle pound’s working committee. The pound is set up on nearly 27 acres of panchayat land, but the panchayat has not received any assistance from the state government. The walls are collapsing and need immediate repair.”

Satvinder Singh Virk, Block Development and Panchayats Officer, Malout, said, “We have not stopped anyone from bringing stray cattle to this pound. Moreover, we have requested the Deputy Commissioner to release funds for the repair and reconstruction of some damaged walls. Besides, we are making efforts to save cattle from chilly weather.”

Laldeep Singh, the manager of the cattle pound, said, “We appeal to everyone who brings in stray cattle here to give something in charity as well, be it green fodder or something else.”