Haryana government would soon set up six veterinary polyclinics in the State. Announcing this while addressing a gathering on the concluding ceremony of 39th State Livestock Exhibition-2023 in Charkhi Dadri on Monday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the polyclinics would be set up in the state so that the cattle in the gaushalas are cared and protected. A polyclinic will also be set up at Charkhi Dadri, he added.
 
“In our culture cows hold religious significance. Cow has been given the status of the mother in religious texts, thus from increasing the budget of Haryana Gau Seva Aayog from Rs 40 crore to Rs 400 crore in 2023-24, dedicated efforts are being made by the present State Government for the protection of cattle,” he said.
 
Earlier, the Chief Minister also visited the Livestock Exhibition. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Animal Husbandry Minister JP Dalal and BJP state president Om Prakash Dhankhar were present on the occasion.
 
The Chief Minister informed that under Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, loans have been provided to such families who have shown interest in adopting animal husbandry. He said that under this scheme, this year, the Government aims to increase the income of about two lakh Antyodaya families.
 
A separate budgetary allocation of Rs 2000 crore has been kept reserved for these families if they wish to do any work related to animal husbandry or any other sector or field, said Khattar.
 
The Chief Minister informed that a new project Sanjhi Dairy has been envisaged in the budget for the year 2023-24. Under this project, a shed will be built on the land of the Panchayat, in which cattle owners, who do not have enough space to keep their animals, can keep them in this common shed. This work will be done by the Cooperative Department. The scheme will be implemented from April 1, 2023, informed Khattar.
 
Strict Laws Enacted for the Protection of Cows
The Chief Minister said that strict laws have been enacted by the State Government for the protection of cows. Under this, rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years, and a heavy penalty will be imposed if anyone is found involved in a heinous crime like cow slaughtering.
 
He also called upon the Panchayats or other institutions to come forward in taking care of destitute cows by making cow shelters. If required they will also be given grants by the Government, said Khattar.
 
Highlighting the benefits of drinking A2 Cow Milk, the Chief Minister said that this milk is a rich source of minerals and is believed to prevent many chronic diseases.  He said that efforts should be made for increasing the production and consumption of this variety of milk.
 
“Along with traditional farming, livestock owners and farmers should also adopt other commercial activities like beekeeping, fisheries, floriculture, and setting up small-scale industries of food processing. Government is ready to extend all the required support to them,” said Khattar.