Work for construction of 22 Cow ranches spanning to 25 acres each worth Rs. 33 crore being carried out in the state will be completed by March end. Rs. 1.5 crore in each district is being spent for construction of these cow ranches. This was stated by Chairman Punjab Gausewa Commission Sh. Kimti Bhagat while addressing the press during conducting a meeting of Governing Body at Forest Complex.Sh. Kimti Bhagat said that there is more than 1 lac 6 thousand unassisted cows in the Punjab state for which the cow ranches are being constructed in the state to ensure proper upkeep and assistance to these cows. He said that a lot of traffic problems are caused due to these unassisted cows.
As such, during last two year there is a lost to 242 lives in road accidents. He said that after completion of work for cow ranches at district level, there will be no unassisted cows roaming on roads after July, which will also help in reducing road accidents. He said that notification for providing free water supply & electricity to 472 cow ranches in Punjab will be issued soon.Sh. Kimti Bhagat said that for to meet the requirements of daily need goods and material for cow ranches, financial approval worth Rs. 16 crore under Vat free refund policy has been approved at the rate of Rs. 3 lacs per year. He said that a National Monument named Rashtriya Shahidi Go- Smarak will be constructed at village Jog of district Mansa, for which an amount of Rs. 2 crore has been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner Mansa. He further said that Rs. 70 lacs have been forwarded to deputy commissioners of each district in state for expenses to be incurred on cow ranches.Sh. Kimti Bhagat said that a special committee was formed for removing the illegal encroachment of lands belongs to cow ranch and demarcation of 3821 acre land was done as per report of all Deputy Commissioners and a final decision in this regard has been given by CM Punjab Sh. Parkash Singh Badal to use these lands only for the purpose livestock welfare.
He further said that Rs. 18 crore will be spent for breed modification program in the state and semen of Sahiwal breed will be provided as per demand of cow ranches and cattle owners. He said that direction has been given for implementation of Punjab Gausewa Act in all the districts and no livestock will be allowed for killing at meat plants. During this Director Dairy Development Punjab Sh. Inderjeet Singh Sandha, Joint Secretary Revenue Department Sh. Neeraj Kumar, AIG Anil Kumar, Joint Director Animal Husbandry Department Dr. Vinay Mohan, Member Sh. Satish Kumar Rajpura and other Govt. and private members of Punjab Gausewa Commission governing body were present.