Gehlot cries over Centre’s sop for gaushalas

‘‘We have a simple question, why?’’ asks Gulzari Lal Soni, chairman of the Aayog. ‘‘We are not saying they shouldn’t be given anything, we only want to know why just them? Why not all the other cows in the state?’’

According to Animal Husbandry Department statistics, there are about 543 lakh animals in Rajasthan. Aayog figures indicate that there are 121 lakh cows. Of these, just over two lakh are housed in the 575 gaushalas in the state.

At present, the state is also running around 1,617 cattle camps across the state, providing subsidised fodder and medical facilities.

‘‘Grossly disproportionate,’’ adds Soni. ‘‘This is obviously 100 per cent politically-motivated. The BJP is doing this for its own workers who are attached to a select few gaushalas. Otherwise, there is no logic to the decision.’’

The Centre’s decision to directly allocate Rs 50 crore to the gaushalas hit the headlines in the state during Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s recent visit to Jaipur when he mentioned the scheme.

‘‘But that was it. There were no other details like how this money will be allocated, through whom and who is keeping accounts,’’ complains Soni.

Animal Husbandry Minister Hari Singh Kumher adds: ‘‘There is nothing financial about this decision. It is all political. It is not like only the cows in the gaushalas have been affected by the drought. The other cows on the streets, the sheep, goats, they are all dying. This is not fair.’’

Joining the chorus are other cattle owners. In a memorandum, the Akal Sangharsh Samiti has asked the state government to stop thinking just about cows and also do something for goats, sheep and camels in the state.

Members of the Samiti say that the cow is being preferential treatment and argue that there are many more people have larger flocks of sheep and goat.

But the Animal Husbandry Department shrugs its shoulders helplessly. ‘‘You know how it is with the cow in this country. Also, people abandon cows, they don’t do that with the sheep and goats. As a result, the cow ends up on the roads and in gaushalas and gets special treatment,’’ says director of the department U.K. Thanvi.

Soni adds: ‘‘Look at it this way. Cows in gaushalas are getting some state funds. Also, people look after cows more. They don’t really need so much more. If there is a surplus, then why not distribute it evenly?’’

The demand is that while the 50 crore fund is welcome for gaushalas, it would only be justified if another Rs 625 crore is given to the state for all the other cows.

Fingers are also being pointed at the BJP’s Bhartiya Gausanrakshan Pratishthan. ‘‘Why do they need more funds?’’ is the question across the board because most are convinced that the ‘‘unaccounted for’’ Rs 50 crore will go directly to them or their associates.