PANAJI
Following the footsteps of some municipalities such as Mapusa, Sankhalim and Bicholim and Corporation of the City of Panaji, a total of 34 panchayats have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with local gaushalas for management of stray cattle using the stray cattle management scheme of Animal Husbandry Department.
There are gaushalas in Valpoi, Mayem, Surla and Mashel which are attached to Animal Husbandry Department who are entitled to carry out animal shelter work.
As per the scheme of animal husbandry government gives Rs 75 as feeding cost per cattle. Also for 50 cows, one labour with payment of Rs 6,000 per month is provided.
Meanwhile, due to some practical problems lifting of stray cattle is not gaining momentum.
North Goa District Road Safety Committee (NGDRSC) in a meeting held on June 29 had told authorities to identify dangerous spots along highways and district roads where cattle are seen in large numbers and prioritise panchayats to sign the MoU first.
The issue of practical problem of shifting the stray cattle to the gaushala was discussed at the NGDRSC meeting.
The stray cattle management scheme has no provision for shifting cost of cattle hence small panchayats have been finding it difficult to pay for the same. “The MD KTCL informed that there are limitations for housing cattle in gaushala and they cannot accommodate more than the prescribed limit,” says the minutes of the NGDRSC meeting.
The Directorate of Panchayat has been told to submit the list of panchayats who have signed the MoU.
Shikeri Mayem gaushala tops in signing of MoUs
