Help make gaushalas self-reliant, exhorts CM

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has called upon people to contribute towards making gaushalas self-reliant and take an active role in protecting cows. “Cow protection is a moral duty for everyone and people should not abandon these on roads but to support gaushalas by using products made from cow dung and cow urine,” said CM while addressing a gathering at Shri Krishna Gaushala, on the occasion of Gopashtami Mahotsav on Thursday.

Before addressing the gathering, the CM offered prayers to cows, fed them fodder, and visited the on-site veterinary hospital to review the services being provided to the cow welfare. Extending greetings on Gopashtami, he said the festival was a sacred occasion of Sanatan Dharma, symbolising compassion, service, and a sense of duty.

CM Saini highlighted that the cow was both socially and spiritually importance and had been associated with prosperity since ancient times. In mythology, Kamdhenu—the divine cow—was one of the 14 gems that emerged from the churning of the ocean. He said Gopashtami marked the day when Lord Krishna, after lifting Govardhan mountain, was named Govind by Lord Indra.

Saini said the state government had taken several steps for the protection, conservation and development of gaushalas, and for promoting natural farming. He said while the Gau Sewa Ayog earlier received Rs 2 crore annually, the current government had increased the budget to Rs 600 crore.

In 2014, Haryana had 215 registered gaushalas housing 1.75 lakh cattle. Today, the number has risen to 686 gaushalas with over 4 lakh cattle. The government is in the process of purchasing 800 e-rickshaws for gaushalas, providing electricity at Rs 2 per unit, and exempting stamp duty for land registrations of gaushalas, said Saini.

He said sheds were being built across gaushalas, with Rs 10 lakh being granted per shelter. So far, 51 gaushalas’ construction was complete. For fodder, Rs 88.5 crore was given as financial assistance to 605 gaushalas, while Rs 388.6 crore was released in the last 11 years.

The CM emphasised developing gaushalas as self-sustaining units by producing natural phenyl, organic manure, clay lamps, soaps, incense sticks, and other products made from cow dung and urine. He said 101 gaushalas were given Rs 6.5 crore for purchasing the required machinery.

He also mentioned that strict laws were enacted for cow protection, providing 10 years imprisonment for cow slaughter and seven years for cow smuggling.

Earlier, Gita Manishi Gyananand Maharaj explained the spiritual importance of Gopashtami, saying that the cow was not an ordinary creature but the lifeblood of Sanatan traditions.