Lucknow, February 9: Now, Uttar Pradesh jails will work as cow shelters ‘gaushalas’ as well. In a compromise formula suggested by the state home department, 12 prisons of the state can happily run the ‘gaushalas’ as there’s no dearth of manpower. Also Read - Kangana Ranaut Wants 'Terrorism Free' Film Industry After Yogi Adityanath's Announcement

Confirming the development, additional inspector general of prisons department, Sharad, said: “In jails, we have ample space and enough people who can tend cows. We gave our nod to the proposal immediately.” Also Read - War on 'Love Jihad'? Yogi Govt Likely to Bring Ordinance To Restrict Religious Conversion in UP

As Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is taking keen interest in implementing cow welfare schemes, the Gau Sewa has gained a lot of importance, the Times of India reported. Also Read - School Reopening News: This BJP-ruled State Refuses to Resume Classes From Sept 21 | Here's Why

The Adityanath government had also cleared setting up 1000-capacity gaushalas (cow-shelters) in seven districts of the state and 16 urban locations in phase one of a giant project which could see the Uttar Pradesh government help build such shelters in every block of the state.

The government will help build these new cow shelters with proper sheds and boundary walls and a committee under the district collector is being set up to maintain them with help of NGOs and public.

Focus is first on the seven districts in Bundelkhand where cows will get shelter in the new cow-shelters.

New cow-shelters in urban areas will result in better sanitation and less incidents of cows dying due to eating plastic.

The state government is also planning to free up its own land from illegal encroachment to set up these new cow- shelters in “safe locations” and with full facility for fodder and water.

With inputs from PTI