Rajasthan: Bristling over Cong taunt, Raje govt says it cares about cow protection
“The BJP only does politics over cows. It should help cows when there’s a need. We don’t do any politics, but are ready to help out in whichever way we can,” Sachin Pilot said during the tour.
Attacked by the Congress for only playing politics in the name of cow protection, the Rajasthan government Thursday went all out to proclaim its seriousness towards protecting cows. Responding to the Congress’s accusations, the Raje government issued a detailed statement declaring that it had made elaborate arrangements to provide fodder and drinking water for cows.
The attack by the state Congress, led by PCC president Sachin Pilot, was triggered by complaints from some villages over lack of water and fodder leading to cattle deaths.
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“All steps have been taken to ensure adequate fodder and water for the cows by the district administration, particularly in Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Bikaner districts,” Rajasthan’s Urban Development Minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat said in a statement. He added that the government had been monitoring the situation regularly and had sanctioned Rs 1 crore for ensuring water and fodder for animals.
“State government (has) always been sensitive towards protection of cows…No animal would die because of hunger and thirst in the state,” said Shekhawat, who is also the minister in-charge of Sawai Madhopur. On Tuesday, Pilot had led a Congress delegation comprising of former Union minister Namo Narain Meena and other party leaders, to some villages falling in Dausa, Sawai Madhopur and Karoli districts where cattle deaths had been reported by locals.
“The BJP only does politics over cows. It should help cows when there’s a need. We don’t do any politics, but are ready to help out in whichever way we can,” Pilot said during the tour.
On Thursday, the state government responded by outlining measures undertaken for the protection of cows, including “sanctioning” of a “big tubewell for drinking water” and facility for treatment of seriously injured cows at a nearby gaushala.
“MLA Gangapur (has) made available 64 quintal fodder through public cooperation. Similarly Sawaimadhopur (MLA) Diya Kumari has announced an assistance of Rs 3 lakh,” the statement said.
Quoting the Sawai Madhopur collector, the statement added: “Water tanker, ambulance and fodder arrangements were being made by Radhakrishan Gaushala. Seriously injured cows had been brought to gaushala and 30 gau sewaks were engaged in the service of cows.”
The Karauli District Collector’s office, the government said, had raised Rs 51,000 for protecting the cows.
“(Collector) Manoj Sharma informed that in Dhauladata, Phutiya and Bhatawala village of Nadauti tehsil, proper arrangements had been made to protect cows. A team of Veterinary doctors had been sent immediately on receiving the news about the ailing of cows. The SDM and Tehsildar were regularly touring the areas to check arrangements and now the cows were in better condition….Similarly in the Nimaj village of Dausa district proper arrangements of fodder and water had been made. Everyday water tanks are being sent and medical teams doing rounds and treating the cows,” the government said.
About Bikaner district, the statement said: “There is no shortage of fodder and water in 953 villages of 8 tehsils in the district.”
After Pilot’s visit, Sawai Madhopur MLA Diya Kumari also issued a statement saying playing politics wouldn’t help the situation.
This is the second time the Congress has cornered the BJP over an issue ideologically close to its heart. Earlier, the opposition had criticised the government for demolition of old temples in Jaipur’s walled city area.
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