Yogi also wants removal of encroachments on grazing land

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed officials to make "immediate arrangements" for proper care of destitute cows in the state and ensure strict action against land mafia who have encroached upon grazing areas.

Mr. Adityanath has also asked the topmost official in the state, chief secretary Anup Chandra Pandey, to set up a committee to consider measures for providing better shelter facilities for destitute cows and present its recommendations in a week. The decisions were taken late on Monday by the CM in a meeting with top officials.

Mr. Adityanath's emphasis on cows comes even after the heavy criticism he received recently for focusing on the allegations of cow slaughter in Bulandshahr, rather than the mob violence in which a police officer and a local protester were shot dead.

The CM has now instructed officials to make functional the 750 kanji houses (cows shelters) set up at the Zilla Panchayat level, and ensure proper fodder, shed and drinking facilities for the bovines. The arrangements would be made in both the rural and urban areas, a government spokesperson said.

Controversial move

While farmers have complained that stray cattle are raiding their fields and damaging crops, Opposition parties have blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for road accidents caused due to the animals, which they say have become a menace after the BJP came to power.

The government has alloted ₹10 crore to each of the 16 municipal corporation in the state to arrange shelter for destitute cows. "Apart from this, ₹1.2 crore has been given to every district for gaushalas," said the government in a statement.

As per the state animal husbandry department, there are 510 registered gaushalas in UP.

The funds for providing shelter for cows in 69 civic bodies have already been sanctioned and the relative amount has also been released, said the government. However, so far, work has been completed only in two municipality corporations: Bareilly and Lucknow.

“He said that if there is any encroachment on grazing land it should be removed immediately and strict action be taken against the concerned land mafia,” said the statement.