Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan government has decided to set up a ‘Gau cabinet’ for the conservation of cow and its progeny.
“A decision has been taken to establish a ‘cabinet’ for the protection and promotion of cattle in the state. Departments of Animal Husbandry, Forest, Panchayat and Rural Development, Revenue, Home and Farmers Welfare Department will be included in the Gau Cabinet,” Chouhan tweeted.
On “Gopashtami”, November 22, the first meeting of the ‘Gau cabinet’ will be held at 12 noon at the Cow Sanctuary in Agar Malwa district.
This decision comes in the wake of BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, led by Yogi Adityanath, who had approved a similar ordinance earlier this year to prevent cow slaughter in the state.
However, details of how the new Gau Cabinet in Madhya Pradesh will function and the responsibilities entrusted to is yet unknown.
It is also pertinent to note that Cow Sanctuary in Agar-Malwa district was India’s first cow sanctuary which was set up by the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government in September 2017.
CM Chouhan in 2018, had announced the formation of ‘Cow Ministry’ for the welfare of cows and his government’s commitment to the protection and well-being and had also announced a ‘Cow Express“-an emergency healthcare service on wheels for ailing cattle.
The proposed amendment in the ordinance passed by the UP cabinet included a penal provision of imprisonment ranging from one year to ten years for physical damage to the cow and fine from Rs one lakh to Rs three lakh in cases related to cow slaughter.