After the imposition of cow cess in the union territory of Chandigarh, the Bharatiya Janata Party now wants establishment of Gau Sewa Aayog for the protection of cows in the city.
As per a survey by the civic body in 2018-19, there are 11512 cows and 12177 buffaloes in Chandigarh. Out of 23689 bovine species, about 3365 are being kept in various gaushalas maintained by the city’s civic body.
The demand of setting up of Gau Sewa Aayog (Cow Commission) in Chandigarh was first raised by the city BJP president Arun Sood during the Administrator’s Advisory Council meeting held under Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore last week.
A memorandum has also been submitted by the BJP to the UT Administrator demanding setting up of the Aayog.
Chandigarh Mayor and BJP councillor Ravi Kant Sharma while talking to The Pioneer said that the governments of neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana had already established such Commissions for the preservation, protection and welfare of bovine species of their respective states. But no such Commission is set up in Chandigarh by the Administration to keep proper check on all established institutes working in the field of management protection, welfare, development, preservation and promotion of schemes for bovine species in the city.”
“While the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has imposed cow cess and maintains the gaushalas here, it is under the purview of Administration to constitute a Commission for cow protection after the approval of Union Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said.
The civic body had last year imposed cow cess on the sale of vehicles, liquor and electricity consumption. The cess was imposed to generate funds for the welfare and protection of cattle in the city.
Among various issues raised in the memorandum submitted to the Administrator, the BJP has stated, “The laws with respect to prohibition of slaughter or cruelty to cows can be properly implemented with the establishment of Gau Sewa Aayog in Chandigarh.
The number of stray cattle is increasing in the city and there is no proper supervision on the established institutions dealing with the protection and welfare of cows.
We have also lost many human lives and cows due to road accidents.”
“The Aayog can also supervise the work of training in the field of scientific rearing of various breeds of cow, research work on the biogenic products for medicinal purposes, formulate schemes for establishment of cottage or artisan industries in rural areas based on biogas products of cow, organizing various fairs or events for those engaged in cattle breeding,” it added.
When contacted, Manoj Parida, Adviser to the UT Administrator said that the BJP city chief, who is a member of Administrator’s Advisory Council has put up a proposal to set up a Gau Sewa Aayog in Chandigarh. A memorandum has also been submitted to the UT Administrator in this regard, he said.
Since the civic body is looking after the welfare of cows and maintaining gaushalas in the city, the Administration would consider setting up a separate commission if they come up with a proposal in this regard, he added.
Notably, the BJP has a majority in the 27-member MCC House with 20 councillors. All three top posts including mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are currently occupied by the BJP.
