IEP Chandigarh, March 22
Local Government Minister, Dr.Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has provided financial assistance of about Rs 85.92 crore for taking care of stray cattle. It was stated by Local Government Minister Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar today during the on going budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha while replying to the call attention notice brought by MLAs S. Daljit Singh Grewal (Bhola) and S. Gurpreet Singh Banawali. Giving more information in this regard, Local Government Minister, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that there are 1.70 lakh stray cattle in about 417 private registered gaushalas in the state. Apart from this, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Punjab has constructed 77 cattle sheds in 20 government cattle ponds in the state, which have around 10,024 stray cattle. Dr. Nijjar added that 10 gaushalas are being run by Urban Local Bodies at their level, in which about 3385 stray cattle are kept. He said that Urban Local Bodies capture stray cattle roaming within their jurisdiction and release them in government/private gaushalas. About 33575 stray cattle have been caught by them during the last five years and released in gaushalas. Dr Nijjar said that around 185 government/private gaushalas are being given financial assistance of Rs 10 to 30 per cattle per day or monthly basis as per financial status and available cow cess funds by the Urban Local Bodies. He also added that upto now Rs 183.44 crore has been collected as cow cess is with the Urban Local Bodies
