Backlash over cattle deaths, Dist Admn refutes claims

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 15

The district administration and the Municipal Corporation (MC) continue to receive backlash over deaths of cattle sent to cow shelters from the city and other places allegedly due to lack of cattle feed and other facilities. The leaders of Shiv Sena and other activists, who have voiced concern over the matter, have demanded details of management and care of the cattle from the administration.

Leaders of a number of social and cow-vigilant organisations said the cattle sent to the cattle ponds were dying due to lack of facilities, including feed, proper shelter, care-takers and doctors, while the administration has voiced otherwise.

Harish Singla, a Shiv Sena leader, said the administration needed to provide all required facilities for cows at the shelters. “We visited the cow shelters and found out that required facilities were lacking. The state government should collect cow cess and provide facilities for the cattle, but the cow shelter at Gazipur village even lacks basic feed. Only one doctor visits the site for an hour a day.” He said he had written to the SDM office demanding details of a number of cows sent to the shelter, expenditure on cattle feed and other matters.

The administration, on the other hand, has stated that the cows were dying due to old age and diseases. Naman Marken, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Samana, had recently stated said, “Most cattle that come to cow shelters are aged. We have provided all required facilities for their care.” He said the organisations concerned should help the administration in taking care of the cattle.

Senior Deputy Mayor writes to DC, PSPCL

Yoginder Singh Yogi, Senior Deputy Mayor, MC, who has sent over 550 stray cattle to the cattle ponds from the city since September, has written to DC Kumar Amit and the PSPCL over the release of cow cess towards the corporation. He said the PSPCL had not released Rs 3 crore of cow cess pending towards the MC since 2016. “I have written to the DC office to get the pending funds, including Rs 3 crore from the PSPCL, released at the earliest.”

The DC said, “The facilities being provided at the cow shelters are optimum and as per the need.” He added he had not received any letter from the MC so far.