Muktsar cattle pound runs out of funds, green fodder

Strap: From 1,600, just about 300 cattle left now

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, August 18

The state government cattle pound in 27-acre panchayat land at Ratta Tibba village in Lambi Assembly segment has become a picture of neglect. There is acute shortage of funds for the pound, which is presently housing nearly 300 cattle.

Notably, once there were nearly 1,600 heads of cattle, but due to high mortality rate and ‘unhygienic’ condition, less than one fifth are left now.

Ranjot Singh, manager of the cattle pound, said: “There is shortage of green fodder, but some people from neighbouring villages are donating it. It is just because of shortage of funds. About two years ago, we had nearly 1,200 cattle here, but now just 300 are left. Most of these are stray cattle, brought here from neighbouring towns. They had consumed plastic and iron nails in high volume, which claimed their lives.”

Congress leader Randhir Singh Dhira Khuddian said: “I had recently visited the cattle pound and requested some people to make arrangement for green fodder. Now, those people are supplying it daily. However, the overall condition of the cattle pound is not satisfactory.”

MK Aravind Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, said: “The shortage of funds is just because of the low collection of cow cess during the Covid period. Further, I had sent the ADC (D) a day before the Independence Day to this cattle pound to see the situation. Once my self-isolation period gets over, I will make the necessary arrangements. However, I am not aware about the mortality rate.”

Notably, earlier once, animal rights activist-cum-former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi too had asked the district administration to make adequate arrangements for the animals kept there.