Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that best performing Gaushalas will be rewarded at the state-level. Grading of Gaushalas will be made for the purpose of giving prizes. He said that paucity of funds will not be allowed there in the way of development of Gaushalas in Madhya Pradesh. Shri Chouhan was speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop on improvement in breed of Indian Bovine animal at Manas Bhavan here today. Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Ajay Vishnoi presided over the workshop organised by Madhya Pradesh Gau-palan Evam Samvardhan Board.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan released a souvenir of the Board and honoured 11 best workers/institutions in the sphere of Gau-sewa as well as former Chairman of the Board Shri Meghraj Jain.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan stressed the need of saving Bovine animal of Indian breed. Indigenous breed is in accordance with the country’s atmosphere and climate. He said that apart from conserving and improving the indigenous breed, it is also necessary to save the Bovine animal in all its forms. Citing figures, he said that 95 percent calves do not survive after birth after some time, which is extremely unfortunate. A Bachhdra Bachao Abhiyan (Save calf campaign) will be launched in the state for changing this situation. He informed that the first of its own kind cow sanctuary in the country will be developed in Shajapur district for conservation and augmentation of bovine animal.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the State Government is committed to bring about new White Revolution in the state. Multi-dimensional efforts are being made to make dairy farming a profitable occupation. A ban has also been imposed on allotment of surplus lands of cows’ grazing grounds. He said that earnest efforts will be made to implement the suggestions put forth at the workshop. If there is any difficulty in implementing them, then steps will be initiated after reviewing them.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that he has taken a resolve to work for Beti Bachao Abhiyan and Gaumata till his last breath. These resolves are the influences of Indian culture.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the State Government has fulfilled its commitment by implementing Cow Protection Act. The State Government will implement the Act strictly. Special officers will be identified in every district for monitoring compliances of various legal aspects of the Act. He informed that ban on cow slaughter was imposed in the state for the first time during the Patwa regime. During the Act’s implementation it was observed that more stringent provisions are required. With this objective, an amended draft Act with provision of 10 years’ imprisonment was forwarded to the Union Government. After dilly-dallying for three years, the Union Government has approved the Act with the provision of seven years’ imprisonment.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that definition of Bovine animal has been expanded in the Act. A person transporting, selling or consuming Bovine animals will also be held guilty of cow slaughter. The burden of proof will lie with the accused for escaping stringent sentence. The Act also provides for seizure of the vehicles transporting bovine animals and providing fodder and water to the confiscated animals. He said that difference should be made between those trading in bovine animals and slaughtering them. He asked the Gaupalan Evam Samvardhan Board to keep special vigil over the situation.
Board Chairman Shri Shiv Choubey greeted Chief Minister Shri Chouhan for introducing Cow Slaughter Ban Act. The biggest budget of Rs. 18 crore for serving cows has been prepared by the Madhya Pradesh Government. He also presented mementoes to Chief Minister Shri Chouhan and other guests.
Large number of cow lovers and Gau-Sewaks like Shri Shankarlal, Shri Radheyshyam Gupta, Shri Phoolchand Jain, Shri Prahlad Porwal, Shri Padm Baraiyya, Shri Vinayak Parihar, Shri Narayan Vyas and Shri Pankaj Joshi were present on the occasion.