BHOPAL: Expressing gratitude for being praised by union minister of state for animal husbandry, Pratap Chandra Sarangi , on government's decision for the conservation of cow progeny and to build 1000 gaushalas (cow shelters), Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath said that cow protection was never a political issue for him but, a matter of faith and honour.

"We decided for the development and conservation of cow and cow progeny on priority because `Gau Mata' is a sign of faith and pride for us", said Kamal Nath in a statement after Sarangi's remarks.

He further said, "I am thankful to the union minister of state for animal husbandry for praising state government's decision to open 1000 gaushalas (cow shelters). Several esteemed personalities and saints have appreciated our decision. This inspires us to work in the field of cow protection in future", said Nath in a series of tweets.

Union MoS, Sarangi on Saturday hailed the Congress-led Kamal Nath government for constructing 1000 gaushalas and said that efforts made by the state government for the conservation of cows were praiseworthy.

"Products derived from cow progeny have been proved life-saving and MP has done a remarkable job in the field of cow protection by deciding to build 1000 gaushalas. People must think over political belief on cow protection in the country", Sarangi had said while addressing 29th Indian Veterinary Conference and Seminar on the ‘Contribution of Veterinarians in National Economy and Welfare of the Farmers’.

Chief minister Nath had in January this year, announced to open 1000 cow shelters for abandoned cattle over the next four months and would accommodate one lakh stray cows. The plan was in the Congress `Vachan Patra' (poll manifesto) and the project will cost Rs. 450 crore, he had stated. Though BJP dubbed the decision as Congress' `Soft-Hindutva' to woo Hindu voters, Nath said that it was already mentioned before elections.

On August 9, CM Nath revealed after day-long discussions with investors that industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla has agreed to build 100 high-tech 'gaushalas' in the state from the group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund during the next 18 months .

Nath continued his efforts to convince investors to open high-tech cow shelters in the state. He said Congress government was always committed towards the development and conservation of cow and cow progeny. The government would continue to work in the same direction.

While the previous BJP government had placed cow welfare in the state high on the agenda it had left the stray cows to fend for themselves. The Congress, before assuming power in MP, added cow protection to its manifesto in an attempt to blunt the BJP's Hindutva edge.

"The BJP government's neglect of stray cows had added to its unpopularity. During last 15-year rule, not a single cow shelter was opened while, more than 1000 cows died in the different district including 400 in cow sanctuary in Agar Malwa and 172 cows in Vidisha", alleged Congress media coordinator, Narendra Singh Saluja.

BJP said that union minister Sarangi praised the project but, the ground reality in Congress-ruled government is different. "The Congress government in the last nine months failed to build a single gaushala. The government is making tall claims while the ground reality is different at all", said BJP state spokesperson, Rajneesh Agrawal.

On Sunday, union minister of state (MoS) for animal husbandry and dairy, Sanjeev Balyan said that Centre was promoting modern techniques in the dairy industry and investment on public-private partnership (PPP) mode have been offered for quick implementation of projects.

"Protection of cattle is valuable for human life and the environment. All sections of the society must take active participation to ensure conservation", said Balyan on the second day of the Veterinary seminar.

