The news item in TGE (Oct 6, 2020) of a vegetable truckoverturning when it rammed against a stray cattle is an eye-opener. It is hardly necessary to emphasize thatstray cattle on the highways and village roads is a common feature. Thegovernment has acknowledged that owners are abandoning their nonproductivecattle as they are in no position to feed them. The High Court has also takencognisance of this menace and passed appropriate orders and directives to thelocal bodies. However, nothing much seems to have been done. In order to dealwith this unacceptable situation, the government is in the process of settingup cattle sanctuaries in each district. It is, therefore, incumbent upon allmunicipalities to take up the offer of government subsidy of 90 per cent forthe purchase of hydraulic lift vehicles and employ staff for shifting thecattle from the streets to these sanctuaries. The High Court of Bombay at Goain October 2019 warned the Municipal Council of Mapusa of stern action if itdoesn't procure a vehicle and begin seizing stray cattle from its jurisdiction.But till date, nothing has been done and this implies that local bodies are incontempt of the court.
