Govt to set up 4 more cow sanctuaries: Saini

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday distributed cheques worth Rs 9.83 crore to 138 gaushalas (cow shelters) in Sirsa. The financial support is part of a fodder grant aimed at providing better care for cows in the region.

At Shri Gaushala, Saini said, “We’ve already opened cow sanctuaries in Panipat, Hisar and Panchkula. Four more will be opened soon to house stray cattle.”

The CM said it was a matter of pride to distribute the grants on “Amavasya”, a spiritually significant day for cow worship in Hindu tradition. “Today, I am giving Rs 9.83 crore to 137 gaushalas in Sirsa. Recently, we distributed Rs 7.02 crore in Fatehabad,” he added.

He highlighted that in the past 10 years, the government had given Rs 277 crore to registered gaushalas and earmarked a budget of Rs 595 crore for cow welfare.

The CM also outlined key initiatives, including the installation of solar panels in 330 gaushalas to reduce electricity cost and the appointment of veterinary staff. “We are working to make gaushalas self-reliant through production of organic manure and products from cow dung and urine,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana announced an additional grant of Rs 11 lakh to a local gaushala and praised efforts to promote natural farming.

Stray cattle return within hours

Jaswinder Singh, a Sirsa resident, said, “It’s surprising that the night before the CM’s visit, stray cattle were suddenly removed from the roads. For weeks, the streets were crowded with cattle.”

Sources said special duties were assigned to municipal council workers to ensure no stray animals were seen on the roads during the CM’s visit. However, shortly after Saini left Shri Gaushala, stray cattle were back on the streets.