DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel informed that various steps are being taken in Haryana like establishment of new Gaushalas by Municipal Corporations, increase in financial assistance to Gaushalas, arrangement of fodder, vaccination and sterilization of stray animals and provision of medical facilities for such animals.

Vipul Goel was replying to a question asked by Sirsa MLA Sh. Gokul Setia during the ongoing Budget Session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha today.

He informed that in order to encourage Gaushalas to rehabilitate stray animals, the State Government has constituted a special Gau Raksha Task Force in each district and a State-level Special Gau Raksha Task Force.

He also apprised the House that Haryana Municipal Bye-laws were published in the year 2005 and 2007 for control of stray animals in district Sirsa. In addition, Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules were notified in the year 2023 to control rabies, stray dog population and to review, coordinate and monitor animal birth control in the State.

He also informed the House that the Government has a total of 683 Gaushalas in the state to control stray and destitute animals. Out of these, 185 Gaushalas with a total capacity of 1,73,501 animals are within the Municipal limits. Apart from this, the Municipalities have been directed to establish new Gaushalas as per their requirement.

From 1st January, 2024 to 7th March, 2025, a total of 56,615 stray animals have been relocated from Gaushalas and rehabilitated, 25,325 dogs have been sterilized and 41,152 monkeys have been released in forest areas. With the aim of strengthening the Gaushalas, the government is providing fodder subsidy to the Gaushalas through Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, Haryana.

In view of the fodder subsidy announcement of the Chief Minister, Haryana, an estimated grant of Rs 163 crore has been released to the Gaushalas in the state so far in this financial year. Under this scheme, Rs 10 per calf, Rs 20 per cow and Rs 25 per bull/bull (Nandi) have been given for the fodder of the animals transferred to the Gaushalas.

A total of Rs 294.55 crore has been released from the year 2020-21 till now. Registered Gaushalas are also being provided subsidized electricity supply at the rate of Rs 2 per unit. As a result, the number of registered Gaushalas in the state has increased by 158 (from 525 to 683) in

the last five years.

(editor@dailyworld.in)