Gujarat: Rs 300 cr for gaushalas, hike in allowance for animals among requests to state government

“Considering the current circumstances, the average daily expense for maintaining a single animal is Rs 100. Therefore, a request was made for a positive approach from the state government to increase support in the form of proposals we submitted to the CM last week,” Samast Mahajan’s managing trustee Girishbhai Shah told The Indian Express. He is also a member of the Animal Welfare Board of the Government of India.

“Also in the proposal submitted to the state government, we have demanded an allocation of a fund of Rs 300 crore for necessary infrastructure facilities for gaushalas, as well as to set up a mechanism to ensure timely disbursement of assistance. Though today’s was only the felicitation event for the CM, we are hopeful that the government will look into these,” Shah added.

In his address at the felicitation event, the Chief Minister praised the animal welfare initiatives and assured, “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that no animal in Gujarat dies unnecessarily. Protection of every animal is our priority.” He assured animal lovers that the government would take all possible steps to ensure that “no animal is left helpless”.

“When we work selflessly your work does not stop. Several initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including Pashu Arogya Mela, were started where diseases among cattle that were not even known were treated. During the lumpy disease spell, the government stood with you. The government is with you and we have to work together. Other initiatives like deepening and maintenance of ponds in villages and natural farming campaign led by Governor Acharya Devvrat are for the benefits of animals as well as mankind,” the Chief Minister added.

Along with the CM, Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel, BJP’s Surendranagar MP Chandubhai Shihora, among others were in attendance at the event.