Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that in order to check the cruelties on Cows in the state, the already existing Punjab Gau Sewa Board would be soon elevated into a full fledged Commission having the powers to punish the culprits indulging in such activities. Talking to the media persons here after visiting the factory premises where the unfortunate incident of cow slaughter had taken place few days ago, the Chief Minister said that the Commission would not only look into the cases pertaining to the cruelties on these sacred animals but would also help in rehabilitating the stray cows which would further help in checking atrocities on them. Reiterating the commitment of the state government to protect Cows in the state by checking the incidents of cow slaughter and other cruelties on them, Badal said that the state government would leave no stone unturned to protect this rich treasure of the state and every suitable step would be taken in this regard. He further said that infact Punjab was the maiden state in the country to have enacted a law for cow protection making an offence related to it punishable with imprisonment for ten years. Condemning the unfortunate incident, the Chief Minister said that he had already directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that the culprits involved in this dreadful crime are given the exemplary punishment so that no one should dare to commit this crime in future. He reiterated that strictest action has been initiated by the state government to award punishment to each and every criminal involved in this barbaric act and it would continue till its logical end. Badal said that none of the person associated with this atrocious crime directly or indirectly would be spared.The Chief Minister further said that the whistleblower of this case Sukhwinder Dass, who have brought this incident into limelight really needs a kudos as he has served the society by bringing this heinous crime on the fore. He announced that Dass would be honored by the state government on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations for his rare act of bravery. Replying to a query regarding the construction of memorial at the site of cow slaughter, the Chief Minister said that the government has already initiated the process of acquiring the land of factory adding that the state government would take each and every decision to respect the wishes of the people of the area. Badal further said that the state government was evolving out a strategy to tackle the problem of the stray cows in the state for which a comprehensive plan was being worked out. The Chief Minister said that he had already directed the Local Government department to ask all the Municipal Corporations of the state to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the local Gaushalas for the protection and proper upkeep of the cows on the pattern of the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana. Extending whole hearted support and help from the state government in the matter, he said that the civic bodies in cooperation with the Gau Shalas could play a pivotal role in preserving the rich treasures of cows in Punjab.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Local Government Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat, MLAs Chatin Singh Samao and Prem Mittal, MP Rajya Sabha Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Chairman of Punjab Gau Sewa Board Keemti Bhagat, Chairman of Rajasthan Gau Rakhsha Commission RS Rajasthani besides the officers of district and Police administration.