BHOPAL: Financial crisis in the state has badly affected funding to cow shelters with former chief minister and BJP veteran Babulal Gaur demanding immediate release of new allocation announced by the government last month.

The government had increased subsidy per animal to Rs 17 from Rs 5 in June but, the funds were released at old rate of Rs 2 per cow.

Sources in the saffron party said that ahead of elections, the state government kept ‘cow protection' on priority in view of the Central guidelines. But, poor implementation and apathy has exposed the negligence behind tall promises made by the animal husbandry department, which is the funding agency to the state Gau Samvardhan Board (cow protection board).

"Subsidy to cow shelters was Rs 2 per bovine but, when I demanded in the assembly to raise it to Rs 10, animal husbandry minister Antar Singh Arya assured in a letter on July 10 to increase it to Rs 17 per cow as per the announcement made by the chief minister in Dhar. But, now things have not changed so far as Gau Shalas were still released funds on the basis of old rates," Gaur told TOI.

There is a vast difference between the promises made and execution of the instructions by the government, he said. The subsidy granted to cow shelters is inadequate and different in districts which shows the disparity in the government's willingness on taking up such a crucial matter like cow protection, said Gaur adding, “Cow protection is a government priority, but disorganised.”

Sources said that normally subsidy is distributed by the Gau Samvardhan Board in March-April and the shelter owners had expected to receive the increased amount in June or July. But, it was stated that the board did not receive adequate funds to release it to the cow shelters.

"There is misleading information about non-payment of subsidy and release of funds to the cow shelters. The board has cleared the backlog and released funds to all cow shelters as per the sanction given by the government", said the chairman of executive committee on cow protection board, Akhileshwaranand Giri.

He clarified that it was true that shelter owners did not receive new allocation as announced by the government but, the board has not received amount on the basis of new allocation.

"We received funds only on the basis of old allocation. In case the government releases funds as per the new subsidy rule, we will release the same to the cow shelters," said Giri who has been recently elevated to the post of cabinet minister by the government.

