MAPUSA
While the State government was providing full financial support to lift and even feed the stray cattle, a procedural delay by the local self-governing bodies led to delay in release of funds to Gaushalas, said Kamlakant Tari, President of Mayem-Shikeri Gaushala.
Tari also said that with the government taking care of the funds, the stray cattle were having a good time as they were getting the feed and also treatment at the Gaushala.
Tari said that in the past the panchayats and municipalities had to make a financial provision to tackle the stray cattle menace which has been done away with by the State government.
He said the only requirement of panchayats and civic bodies was to sign a memorandum with the Gaushala and lend them a little assistance while lifting the cattle from the streets.
“It has never been so good for the stray cattle. The government is taking care of the entire cost right from lifting the stray cattle from the streets to looking after its feed at the Gaushala,” said Tari, who runs the largest Gaushala in the State.
“The State government has been very supportive of our mission to tackle the stray cattle menace. The only hitch is the procedural delay by the local self-governing bodies. The panchayats and municipalities have to issue utilization certificates on time so that the Department of Animal Husbandry can process it further and release the funds,” he added, while addressing a gathering at a function in Assagao.
The Mayem-Shikeri Gaushala is home to around 2,700 cattle and has a vast area to accommodate more bovines.
Tari informed that three vehicles with hydraulic lifts provided by the Raj Bhavan, Corporation of the City of Panaji and Mapusa Municipal Council were used to lift the stray cattle moving on public roads in the State.
Besides, the Gaushala also used ricks to transport the stray cattle seized from various areas.
“We have done a survey and found that there are at least 14,000 stray cattle in the State which need to be tackled,” Tari said.
The Mayem-Shikeri Gaushala President informed that many times the condition of stray cattle was found to be very precarious as they were feeding on plastics and non-vegetarian food.
He blamed the people for the sorry state of affairs and urged the public not to dump garbage, especially plastics in the open.
