CANACONA
Congress leaders in Canacona on Friday demanded a 24x7 “Patrolling Cell” to monitor the movement of stray cattle and to drive them away from highways and major district roads.
They also sought the immediate setting up of the “Animal Welfare Board” to prevent cruelty against animals and effective implementation of “The Stray Cattle Management Scheme”.
Congress leaders led by GPCC General Secretary Janardhan Bhandari put forth these demands in a memorandum to Canacona police and other authorities, following the recent mishap on the NH66 highway at Gulem-Canacona where an interstate truck rammed into 13 cattle, killing 11 and injuring two of the animals.
In their memorandum highlighting the issue of stray cattle in the State, the Congress accused the BJP government of failing to take steps to control the stray cattle menace.
They claimed that despite clear directions from the Supreme Court to set up an “Animal Welfare Board” in every State to take care of stray cattle and to prevent cruelty against animal, the State government had not yet constituted an Animal Welfare Board for Goa.
The Congress leaders also stated that the State government had initiated “The Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme, 2013” through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, but said the scheme is merely on paper only and not effectively implemented in the State.
Claiming that the Covid pandemic had made it tough for farmers to look after their cattle, they said farmers did not have the funds to care for their cattle and needed immediate financial assistance from the government.
They said owners of these 11 dead cattle had not claimed ownership due to fear of the law, but they needed to be compensated for the loss of their cattle.
They demanded necessary financial provision for “The Stray Cattle Management Scheme” to set up cattle pounds/shelters, to appoint a pound keeper and to create other infrastructure in
every panchayat and municipal area to take care of stray cattle.
They also sought a 24x7 “Patrolling Cell” to monitor stray cattle on Highways/MDRs making a provision for sufficient vehicles to patrol these major roads.
Besides Bhandari, others present to submit the memorandum included GPCC Secretary Mahadev Desai, Canacona Congress Block President Pralay Bhagat, Canacona Mahila Congress Block President Ursila Costa and Canacona Congress Youth president Mithil Chari.
